mmimmfiitisti 


H.  H,  LEHMAN,    V.   S. 


LEHMAN'S 

POULTRY    DOCTOR 


Mf 


A  Treatise  on  Poultry  Diseases,  written  in  plain 

Language  for  the  Farmer  and 

Poultry  Raiser. 


BY- 


DR.  H.  H.  LEHMAN 

A  Graduated  Veterinary  Surgeon  of  vast  experience  with  Poultry 
and  their  Diseases,  and   ex-secretary  of  the  Veterinary 
Associations  of  the  Detroit  College  of  Medicine 
and  of  the  Indiana  Veterinary  College. 


^ 


With  ideal  illustrations  of  leading  breeds   of  poultry,  also 
an  Appendix  of  a  number  of  important  subjects- 


Published  by  the  author, 


a^- 


^(OLOGt 
RARt 


COPYRIGHTED   1909 
BY 

H.  H.  LEHMAN. 


PRESS   OF  HAMILTON  PRINTING  CO. 
ASHLAND,    OHIO. 


0) 


:--€S**» 


PREFACE. 


BOOKS  dwelling  absolutely   on  poultry  diseases, 
written  in  plain  language  by  veterinary  medical 

authors,  are  few. 

The  present  book  is  an  effort  to  at  least  partially  fill 
this  gap.  In  compiling  this  small  book,  the  writer  en- 
deavors to  base  it  on  sound  medical  facts,  such  as  can 
be  obtained  from  the  best  veterinary  writers  of  this 
country  as  well  as  from  foreign  authors,  and  from  his 
own  experience,  and  to  give  it  in  such  language  that 
the  common  poultry-raiser  may  be  able  to  compre- 
hend it. 

The  description  and  treatment  on  the  several  poultry 

ailments  will  be  as  brief  and  practical  as  it  is  possible 
to  make  them,  and  yet  do  justice  to  the  immense  poul- 
try industry. 

The  following  authors  have  been  freely  consulted: 
The  Diseases  of  Poultry,  by  D.  E.  Salmon,  D.  V.  M. ; 
Prof.  Law's  Veterinary  Medicine;  Friedberger  & 
Frohner's  Pathology  and  Therapeuties  of  the  Domestic 
Animals;  Chauveau's  Comparative  Anatomy;  Win- 
slow 's  Materia  Medica,  and  numerous  others  treating 
on  Veterinary  Medicine  and  Poultry  Raising. 

The  author  also  desires  to  record  his  obligations  to 
his  preceptor,  Dr.  Gilbert  Hess,  of  Ashland,  Ohio, 
for  valuable  information. 


H.  H.  L< 


oq'>o^o 


CONTENTS, 


SUBJECT.  PAGE 

PREFACE 

CHAPTER    1.— Introduction 7 

CHAPTER    2.— Diseases  of  the  Respiratory 

Organs 12 

CHAPTER    3.— Diseases  of  the  Digestive  Organs.  25 

CHAPTER    4.— Diseases  of  the  Heart 49 

CHAPTER    5. -Diseases  of  the  Nervous  System.  51 

CHAPTER    6.— Diseases  of  the  Kidneys  and  Or- 
gans of  Reproduction 55 

CHAPTER    7.  —  Diseases  affecting  Various  Organs.  65 

CHAPTER    8. -Diseases  Pertaining  to  Surgery. .  73 

CHAPTER    9. -Diseases  Affecting  the  Skin 77 

CHAPTER  10.— Vices  or  Habits 84 

APPENDIX 87 


White  Plymouth  Rocks. 


Buff  Plymouth  Rocks. 


CHAPTER   1. 


Introduction. 


Causes   of  Diseases  — Germs  and   Disinfectants — Require- 
ments Essential  to  health — Hospital. 


IT  is  said,  "If  we  had  a  perfect  knowledge  of  the 
laws  of  life  and  applied  this  knowledge  in  a  per- 
^fect  system  of  hygienic  rules,  disease  would  be  impos- 
sible." In  order  to  apply  this  to  fowls  it  is  very  nec- 
essary to  have  some  conception  of  the  cause  and 
nature  of  the  several  diseases,  as  well  as  of  the  best 
methods  of  assisting  nature  in  overcoming  them.  The 
condition  of  the  fowl  in  its  natural  state  should  be 
considered,  and  the  food  should  be  of  such  a  variety,  as 
to  imitate  nature  as  much  as  possible;  this  is  especially 

7 


8  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOIt. 

essential  where  fowls  are  kept  in  confinement,  and  in 
attempting  this,  meat  should  be  supplied,  since,  in  the 
natural  state,  insects,  worms,  etc.,  are  eaten  in 
abundance. 

Grit,  in  form  of  gravel,  broken  stone  or  even  dishes, 
oyster  shells,  old  plaster,  etc.,  must  also  be  supplied. 
Why?  Because  such  arc  used  as  millstones  or  grinders 
between  the  strong,  muscular  walls  of  the  stomach, 
and  render  the  food  capable  of  being  digested  and 
assimilated.  Green  food,  as  well  as  a  variety  of 
grains,  are  also  essential. 

Medicine  is  usually  administered  in  the  food  or 
drinking  water,  but  may  occasionally  be  made  into  a 
ball  or  pill  and  introduced  back  into  the  throat,  or  it 
may  be  given  in  a  small  amount  of  water,  poured 
slowly  out  of  a  spoon  or  small  bottle. 

Medicine  is  usually  prescribed  in  grains,  drops,  drams 
or  ounces,  and,  occasionally,  pounds. 

Approximately,  a  grain  of  powdered  drugs  equals 
about  a  large  grain  of  wheat;  a  dram,  a  level  tea- 
spoonful,  while  a  tablespoonful  equals  one-half  ounce. 
This,  however,  varies  considerably,  as  such  drugs  as 
sulphate  of  iron  are  very  heavy,  while  others,  as  pow- 
dered quassia  or  quinine  are  light. 

CAUSES  OF  DISEASES. 

The  first  essential  step  in  treating  disease  is  to  seek 
and  remove  the  cause.  In  order  to  do  this  it  is  neces- 
sary to  understand  something  about  the  common 
causes  of  disease* 


INTRODUCTION.  9 

If  there  is  any  disorder  of  the  organs  of  digestion, 
the  nature  of  the  food,  the  amount  given,  etc.,  must 
be  looked  into;  whether  grit  is  supplied  and  whether 
the  fowls  have  sufficient  exercise. 

If  the  respiratory  organs  are  the  seat  of  trouble, 
investigation  must  be  made  as  to  ventilation,  whether 
sufficient,  or  whether  not  in  such  a  way  that  the  fowls 
are  in  a  direct  draught,  and  whether  the  floor  is  not 
damp  or  whether  there  is  no  draught  along  the  floor. 

If  there  is  a  general  outbreak  of  some  infectious 
disease,  such  as  cholera,  roup,  etc.,  the  general  sani- 
tary conditions  must  be  looked  after. 

Lice  so  debilitate  fowls  that  they  may  be  regarded 
as  an  indirect  cause  of  a  great  many  diseases.  Allow- 
ing fowls  to  become  too  fat  will  cause  such  troubles  as 
apoplexy,  congestion  of  the  liver,  diseases  of  the  ova- 
ries, inability  to  walk,  etc. 

GERMS  AND  DISINFECTANTS. 

Since  science  proves  that  a  great  many  diseases  are 

due  to  germs,  disinfectants  must  be  understood  and 
used. 

The  principal  factors  in  developing  germs  are  filth 
and  moisture,  with  the  proper  temperature.  They  do 
not  develop  well  in  too  high  or  too  low  temperature, 
such  as  below  70  or  above  110  degrees  Fahr. 

Sunlight  is  a  most  excellent  germ  destroyer,  and  it 

is  therefore  very  essential  to  admit  plenty  of  this  in 
poultry  houses. 
There   are   a   number    of  good   disinfectants;    one 

among  the  boat  for  the  poultry  raisor  is  carbolie  acid, 


10  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

one  pound  dissolved  in  three  gallons  of  water.  This 
makes  an  excellent  solution  for  spraying  the  inside  of 
hen  houses,  washing  the  roosts,  floors,  etc. 

This  strength  mixed  with  lime  makes  an  excellent 
white-wash. 

For  fumigating,  sulphur  burned  in  a  tightly  closed 
house  is  very  cheap  and  effectual;  this  must  be  done 
while  the  fowls  are  out. 

To  get  the  best  results  from  sulphur  fumes,  steam 
should  be  combined  with  the  fumes.  This  can  be  done 
by  setting  a  vessel  in  the  room,  containing  boiling  or 
steaming  water,  or,,  better  still,  have  a  vessel  contain- 
ing water  boiling  over  a  large  lamp  or  small  oil  stove. 

A  cheap  disinfectant  for  yards  is  sprinkling  occa- 
sionally with  air-slacked  lime. 

REQUIREMENTS  ESSENTIAL  TO  HEALTH. 

Conditions  for  the  maintainance  of  health  are  very 
necessary,  because  it  is  far  better  to  maintain,  than 
to  rely  upon  measures  to  regain,  health. 

A  fowl  is  a  machine  of  much  higher  tension  than 
such  animals  as  the  horse  or  ox.  This  is  readily  seen 
when  the  fact  is  taken  into  consideration  that  the  fowl 
breathes  more  rapidly,  has  more  rapid  circulation  and 
higher  temperature  (normal  107  to  109  degrees),  and 
digests  more  food  in  proportion  to  its  weight;  there- 
fore proper  care  is  all  the  more  essential. 

In  the  first  place,  the  location  for  the  poultry  house 
and  vuua  should  bo  high  and  where  there  is  good  drain- 
age,   A  Bight  that  eloper  Q&et,  eouth  or  Bouth-eaet 


INTRODUCTION.  11 

is  best.     A  spring  or  small  stream  of  water  at  the  foot 

of  the  incline  makes  a  very  desirable  place. 

The  house  should  be  rt>omy  and,  if  possible,  should 

face  the  south  and  be  provided  with   large  windows. 

Ventilation    should    be    provided  but   direct  draughts 
must  be  avoided. 

The  food  must  be   wholesome,  not  mouldy,  and  of 

sufficient  variety;  and  last,   but  not  least  important, 

strict  cleanliness  must  be  observed  about  the  poultry 

premises. 

HOSPITAL. 

No  poultry  raiser  should  be  without  a  hospital,  or 
place  where  sick  fowls  can  be  properly  cared  for  and 
treated.  Such  a  place  should  be  away  from  any  an- 
noyance, as  cats,  dogs  or  even  other  fowls,  and  should 
be  arranged  so  that  the  patient  can  be  kept  comfort- 
ably warm  or  cool  as  the  season  may  require,  and 
should  be  dry,  light  and  well  ventilated,  but  draughts 
must  be  avoided.  Frequent  disinfecting  and  white 
washing  and  strict  cleanliness  are  very  essential  in  a 
place  of  this  kind. 


CHAPTER  2. 


Diseases  of  the  Respiratory  Organs. 


Simple  Catarrh  or  Cold — Roup  and  Diphtheria— Laryn- 
gitis—Bronchitis —  Congestion  and  Inflammation  of  the 
Lungs  or  Pneumonia  — Gapes — Food  Lodged  in  the 
Trachea  or  Windpipe — Air  Sack  Mites  or  Pneumo- 
mycoses. 


SIMPLE  CATARRH  OR  COLD. 

THIS  is  a  non-contagious  catarrhal  affection  of 
the  mucous  membranes  of  the  respiratory  or- 
gans and  eyes,  and  is  the  result  of  exposure  to  cold, 
especially  to  cold  draughts  over  the  roosts  or  along 
the  floor  of  the  hen  house;  poorly  ventilated  and  damp 

hen  house,   and  overcrowding,  are  also  very  fruitful 
causes. 

Symptoms:  Watery  eyes  and  sneezing,  which  is 
best  noticed  when  one  goes  into  the  hen  house  quietly, 
in  the  evening;  the  fowl  will  become  dull  and 
feathers  become  rough;  breathing  is  somewhat  inter- 
fered with  because  of  the  nostrils  becoming  obstructed; 
the  eyelids  become  swollen  and  sometimes  stick 
together  with  the  viscid  secretion;  breathing  may  be 


DISEASES  OF  THE  RFSPIRATORY  ORGANS.     13 

carried  on  through  the  mouth  only,  which  often  be- 
comes almost  impossible  because  of  the  cheesy  mate- 
rial gathering  in  the  throat,  in  which  condition  the 
fowl  soon  becomes  exhausted  and  dies. 

Treatment:  The  cause  must  be  sought  and 
removed.  The  hen  house  must  be  clean,  dry,  well 
ventilated  and  lighted,  but  draughts  along  the  floor 
and  over  the  roosts  must  be  avoided.  The  fowls  must 
not  be  crowded  nor  overheated  in  a  close,  warm  house 
and  then  let  out  in  the  cold,  frosty  air,  or  storm. 

Twice  a  day  give  in  soft  feed  a  teaspoonful  of  the 

following  remedy  for  every  20  fowls: 

Quinine 2  dr. 

Golden  Seal 2  dr. 

Hyposulphite  of  soda. . .  2  dr. 

Ginger 4  dr. 

Gentian 6  dr. 

Wash  the  eyes,  nostrils  and  throat  twice  a  day  with 

boracic  acid  solution,  made  by  dissolving  fifteen  grains 

to  the  ounce  of  warm  water.     The  cheesy  matter  must 

often  be  removed  from  the  throat;   for  this  a  wire 

with  both  ends  flattened  and  made  blunt  and  bent  in 

the  shape  of  the  letter  U  is  very  convenient. 

Good   results   are    obtained   by   spraying  the  fowls 

each  evening,  while  on  the  roost,  with  coal  oil.     This 

can  be  done  v.ery  nicely  with  one  of  those  sprayers 

that  are  used  to  spray  potato  vines  or  rose  bushes,  or 

with  anything  that  will  throw  a  fine  mist  or   vapor. 

By  spraying  it  over  them  while  on  the  roost  they  will 

inhale  the  small  particles  of  coal  oil  in  the  very  min- 


14  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

ute  air  passages,  which   acts  as  an  antiseptic  and  is 
perfectly  harmless. 

ROUP  AND  DIPHTHERIA. 

Roup  and  diphtheria  were  by  some  of  the  older 
writers  treated  as  two  different  diseases,  but  here 
they  will  be  classed  under  the  same  head. 

It  is  an  infectious,  catarrhal  condition  of  the  mucous 
membranes  of  the  throat,  nose,  eyes,  sinuses  (cavities 
in  the  head),  etc. 

Symptoms:  The  onset  of  roup  is  very  similar  to 
cold  and  simple  catarrh,  such  as  sneezing,  watery 
eyes,  dull  appearance  and  difficult  breathing,  as  they 
often  breathe  with  the  mouth  open;  in  fact,  the  symp- 
toms all  along  are  very  similar,  except  that  simple 
catarrh  will  generally  affect  only  here  and  there  a 
fowl,  and  the  outbreak  will  soon  cease  when  the  cause 
is  sought  and  removed  and  such  treatment  given  as 
directed. 

But  roup  will  go  from  bad  to  worse  and  spread 
through  the  flock  very  rapidly  before  active  measures 
are  taken  to  check  it. 

The  most  characteristic  symptoms  are,  therefore, 
discharge  from  the  eyes  and  nostrils;  swelling  or 
bulging  out  of  the  eyes,  often  to  an  enormous  size; 
diphtheretic  membrane  forming  in  the  throat,  which 
often  has  a  very  offensive  odor;  there  is  great  pros- 
tration, the  feathers  are  rough,  the  appetite  poor, 
comb  and  wattles  dark  and  frequently  the  fowls  drop 
dead  from  the  roost,  probably  from  suffocation.    There 


Partridge  Wyandottes. 


_^\-^. 


Golden  Wyandottes. 


Barred  Plymouth  Rocks. 


>^      CHAS  t.  5TIUE3  Coi.vn»ua.O 


White  Wyandottes. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  RESPIRATORY  ORGANS.     15 

may  be  a  diarrhoea,  and  where  a  number  are  affected 
the  sight  is  a  very  pitiful  one. 

Causes:  The  cause  of  roup  and  diphtheria  is  a  spe- 
cific germ  or  bacteria;  it  is  not  yet  positively  decided 
whether  it  is  the  same  germ  that  causes  human  diph- 
thea,  but  it  seems  the  best  evidence  points  that  it  is 

not;  however,  it  is  always  well  to  take  some  precau- 
tion. 

Overcrowding  in  filthy,  dark,  damp,  illy-ventilated 
poultry  houses  favors  the  development  of  the  disease. 
Prevention:    Birds   which   have   been   at  poultry 
shows,  or  newly  bought  birds,  should  be  kept  by  them- 
selves, away  from  the  healthy  fowls  for  a  period  of 

20  to  30  days,  in  which  time  the  disease  would  develop 
if  they  were  affected. 

The  discharges  from  diseased  fowls  are  loaded  with 

germs  which  dry  and    become   disseminated  through 

the  air  and  dust  and  are  breathed  into  the  air  passages 

of  healthy  birds.     Fowls  which  have  recovered  from 

roup  should  not  be  kept  for  breeding  purposes,  because 
their  progeny  are  often  weak. 

Treatment:  In  the  first  place,  the  healthy  birds 
should  be  removed  to  a  non-infected  place  where  the 
sanitary  conditions  are  good.  Poultry,  animals,  or 
persons  should  not  go  direct  from  infected  pens  to  a 
healthy  flock.  Thorough  and  persistent  disinfecting 
of  the  poultry  houses,  roosts,  feeding  troughs,  drink- 
ing vessels,  etc.,  is  absolutely  necessary  both  where 

sick  and  well  are  kept.     (See  article  on  germs  and 
disinfectants,  page  9). 


16  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

To  the  healthy  give  a  teaspoonful  of  the  following 
tonic  for  each  20  fowls,  once  a  day,  in  soft  feed: 

Quinine 2  dr. 

Sulphur 2  dr. 

Hyposulphite  of  soda 2  dr. 

Ginger 4  dr. 

Gentian 6  dr. 

The  sick  should  be  put  in  a  warm,  dry,  clean,  well 
ventilated  place,  which  is  free  from  draughts.  The  diph- 
theretic  membrane  should  be  removed  from  the  throat 
as  directed  for  removing  cheesy  material  in  simple 
catarrh  (see  page  13) ;  then,  at  least  once  a  day,  wash 
the  mouth,  throat  and  eyes,  if  affected,  with  bo- 
racic  acid  solution,  ten  grains  to  the  ounce  of  warm 
water,  or  with  a  29(-  solution  of  creolin;  or,  perhaps, 
the  best  that  can  be  used  is  equal  parts  of  peroxide 
of  hydrogen  and  clean,  soft  water.  If  pus  and 
growths  containing  cheesy  matter  form  about  the 
head,  these  should  be  opened  with  a  sharp  knife  and 
the  wound  kept  filled  with  iodoform  or  boracic  acid. 

For  internal  treatment,  give  one  grain  of  equal  parts 
of  quinine  and  calcium  sulphide  three  times  a  day.  To 
give  this,  it  may  be  mixed  with  a  little  moist  meal  and 
made  into  a  pill  and  pushed  back  into  the  throat. 

When  on  a  fair  way  to  recovery,  the  tonic  given 
above  for  the  well  may  be  given  the  same  as  di- 
rected, in  their  feed.  Good,  wholesome  food  should 
be  given.  All  dead  birds  must  be  deeply  buried  or 
burned. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  RESPIRATORY  ORGANS.     17 

LARYNGITIS. 

Laryngitis  is  an  inflammation  of  the  upper  part  of 
the  windpipe. 

Cause  is  usually  exposure  to  cold,  or  cold  rains,  etc. 

Symptoms  :  Breathing  is  rapid  and  rasping,  the  neck 
is  extended,  the  mouth  open,  there  is  a  cough  and  rat- 
tling in  the  throat;  by  opening  the  mouth  the  larynx 
can  be  seen,  which  will  appear  fiery  red,  the  bird  will 

become  listless  and  cease   eating,  and  the  comb  may 
appear  blue. 

Treatment:  Remove  the  cause  by  avoiding  expo- 
sure. The  bird  should  be  placed  in  a  warm,  dry,  well 
ventilated  room  and  should  be  made  to  inhale  steam  a 
few  minutes  several  times  a  day.  This  can  be  done  by 
putting  the  patient  in  a  closed  box,  in  which  a  vessel 
containing  a  quart  of  oats  is  placed  and  over  this  pour 
hot  water  to  which  a  little  tar  or  camphor  is  added. 

For  internal  treatment  add  two  teaspoonfuls  of 
sweet  spirits  of  nitre  and  10  drops  of  tincture  aconite 
to  one-half  pint  of  water  and  give  a  teaspoonful  every 
three  hours  for  a  day;  follow  by  giving  a  grain  or  two 
of  muriate  of  ammonia  dissolved  in  a  teaspoonful  of 
warm  water,  three  times  a  day. 

Apply  coal  oil  under  the  throat  once  a  day.  Feed 
sloppy  food,  milk,  beef  tea,  etc. 

BRONCHITIS. 

Bronchitis  is  an  inflammation  of  the  mucous  mem- 
brane lining  the  windpipe  and  bronchial  tubes.  It  may 

be  an  extension  of  a  catarrhal  condition  from  the  head 
or  larynx. 


18  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

Causes:    The  causes  are  similar  to  those  of  laryn- 
gitis, such  as  exposure  to  cold,  wet,   diaughts,  etc.; 
or  it  may  be  caused  by  compelling  fowls  to  inhale  irri 
tants;  especially  is  dense  smoke  harmful. 

Symptoms:  Breathing  is  rapid,  there  is  a  harsh, 
whistling  sound  and  cough  in  the  first  stages,  followed 
by  loose  rattling  sounds  made  by  the  air  passing 
through  the  mucus  in  the  tubes. 

The  bird  seems  feverish  and  becomes  weak,  the 
feathers  are  ruffled  and  in  severe  cases  breathing  be- 
comes very  difficult;  the  patient  frequently  opens  its 
beak  in  order  to  get  sufficient  fresh  air.  In  such  aggra- 
vated form  the  fowl  soon  becomes  exhausted  and  will 
die  if  not  quickly  relieved. 

'  Treatment:  The  cause  must  be  sought  and  removed 
and  the  general  surroundings  should  be  the  same  as 
directed  for  laryngitis.  Also  give  the  fever  medicine 
(aconite  and  sweet  spirits  of  niter)  for  a  day  or  two 
as  directed  on  page  17. 

Give  soft,  light  food,  such  as  stale  bread  soaked  in 
milk,  bran  mash,  boiled  rice,  etc.  Follow  the  fever 
medicine  by  giving  10  to  20  drops  of  the  following,  four 
times  a  day: 

Muriate  of  Ammonia. .  .10  gr. 

Syrup  of  Tolu 3^  oz. 

Fluid  extract  of  licorice  Yi  oz. 

Steaming  as  directed  for  laryngitis  is  -  also  nec- 
essary. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  RESPIRATORY  ORGANS.     19 

CONGESTION   AND    INPLAMMATIOM    OF    THE  LUNGS,   OR 

PNEUMONIA. 

Congestion  is  an  engorgement  of  the  blood  vessels 
in  the  lungs  and  is  simply  the  first  stage  of  inflammation. 

Causes  are  exposure  to  cold,  wet,  etc.,  and  in  the 
inflammatory  stage,  or  pneumonia,  there  is  supposed 
to  be  a  specific  germ  which  acts  as  a  potent  factor. 

Molting  fowls  are  very  subject  to  any  of  these  in- 
flammatory diseases  of  the  respiratory  organs  bcrause 

their  skin  is  very  sensitive  and  not  protected  wth 
feathers. 

Symptoms:  The  bird  will  breathe  rapidly  and  with 
diflTiculty,  and  extend  the  neck  with  mouth  open-  the 
comb  turns  dark  red  or  black  because  of  the  blood  not 
being  properly  aerated;  the  feathers  are  ruflled,  the 
patient  rapidly  becomes  indifferent  and  may  die,  or 
the  trouble  may  become  lingering,  in  which  condition 
there  is  usually  a  collection  of  yellow,  cheesy  material 
in  the  air  sacks  about  the  lungs,  and  after  this  condi- 
tion takes  place  the  fowl  will  appear  brighter  and 
perhaps  begin  eating,  but  the  difficult  breathing  will 
continue,  from  which  it  will  never  fully  recover. 

Treatment:  As  soon  as  the  first  symptoms  are 
noticed,  place  the  bird  in  a  warm,  but  well  ventilated 
room,  as  plenty  of  fresh  air  is  necessary.  Give  the 
fever  treatment  (aconite  and  sweet  spirits  of  niter) 
given  for  laryngitis  on  page  17,  for  a  day;  follow  by 
dropping  ten  drops  of  tincture  digitalis  in  a  table- 
spoonful  of  water  and  give  ten  drops  of  this  solution 
and  a  grain  of  quinine  every  four   hours. 


20  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

GAPES. 

Gapes  is  a  bronchial  affection  in  young  fowls.  It  is 
not  well  understood  by  many  poultry  raisers  and  is  a 
trouble  that  causes  great  losses. 

Cause:  The  real  cause  of  this  annoying  trouble  is 
small  worms  in  the  air  passages.  There  are  two  kinds. 
The  one  most  common  and  the  one  that  affects 
chickens,  turkeys,  pheasants,  etc.  is  known  as  "Scle- 
rostoma  Syngamus"  or  ''Syngamus  Trachealis." 

The  worm  appears  forked  and  really  is  two  worms 
as  the  male  and  female  are  at  this  period  always  to- 
gether, which  the  word  syngamus,  (meaning  marriage) 
implies.  The  larger  being  the  female  and  the  smaller 
branch  or  fork  the  male;  therefore  the  female  is  about 
three  times  as  long  and  twice  as  thick  as  the  male, 

These  worms  are  provided  with  mouths  or  suckers 
with  which  they  attach  themselves  to  the  mucous 
membrane  of  the  windpipe.  The  female  is  loaded 
with  eggs  which  escape  only  after  her  death,  usually 
when  coughed  out,  and  are  deposited  in  the  earth  and 
are  again  taken  up  by  another  fowl  or  by  earth  worms, 
beetles,  etc.,  and  these,  containing  the  eggs,  are 
eaten  by  the  bird  in  whose  stomach  the  envelopes  be- 
come digested  and  the  embryo  or  young  gape  worm 
set  free,  which  is  supposed  to  bore  its  way  through  the 
walls  of  the  digestive  organs  and  the  air  sacks  (the 
latter  communicating  with  the  lungs)  and  from  thence 
into  the  air  passages.  At  this  stage  or  when  entering 
the  lungs,  the  sexes  unite,  at  which  time  they  are  of 


Copyright  igof 

Ch&«.  L  6tlles 
■  Columbus,  O. 


Silver  Laced  Wyandottcs. 


Ros§  Comb  Rhode  Island  Reds, 


tyMMimZm  & 

■COlUMBUi.O     , 


Buff  Wyandottes. 


Copyright  igoa 
Co/uiniuj,  Oh  19,  ' 


Columbian  Wyandottes. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  RESPIRATORY  ORGANS.    21 

the  same  size,  but  the  female  soon  becomes  the  larger 
because  of  being  loaded  with  eggs. 

The  other  kind  spoken  of  above  is  known  as  "Syn- 
gamus  bronchialis";  this,  however,  is  not  at  all  com- 
mon and  is  supposed  to  affect  water  fowls, 

Symptoms:  These  are  so  familiar  with  the  poultry- 
raiser  that  giving  them  would  scarcely  seem  necessary 
except  for  the  inexperienced. 

The  chick  will  be  seen  opening  its  mouth  and  gasp- 
ing for  breath  frequently;  it  will  sneeze  and  attempt 
to  swallow;  there  may  be  a  cough  and,  by  watching 
closely,  it  is  possible  to  see  the  worm  being  coughed 
up;  the  patient  will  appear  dull,  with  drooping  wings 
but  the  appetite  is  often  not  impaired. 

By  holding  the  chick  toward  the  sun  the  worms 
may  be  seen  in  the  windpipe. 

Treatment:  This,  in  the  first  place,  should  be  pre- 
ventive. Chicks  kept  on  old  runs  that  are  polluted 
with  eggs  of  gape  worms  are  certain  to  have  gapes; 
therefore,  avoid  this  cause  as  much  as  possible. 

Chicks  kept  on  board  or  cement  floors,  until  v/ell 
feathered,  are  very  seldom  affected  unless  they  are 
fed  earth  worms,  or  ground  contaminated  with  gape 
worm  eggs  is  thrown  to  them;  neither  should  their 
drinking  water  be  taken  from  pools  draining  polluted 
grounds  or  any  place  where  contamination   might  be 

possible. 

The  old  way  of  extracting  the  worm  with  a  stiff 
horse  hair,  doubled  upon  itself  so  as  to  form  a  loop  by 


22  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

twisting,  or  a  feather  stripped  all  but  a  tuft  at  the 
end  is  yet  one  of  the  most  successful  ways  of  removal. 
Either  of  these  is  passed  well  down  into  the  windpipe, 
twisted  several  times  and  then  withdrawn. 

Good  results  are  sometimes  obtained  by  dipping  the 
feather  in  tobacco  solution,  turpentine,  spirits  of 
camphor;  salicylic  acid,  ten  grains  dissolved  in  an 
ounce  of  water;  or  a  v/eak,  warm,  salt  solution  may  be 
dropped  into  the  windpipe  once  a  day;  a  small  dropper 
should  be  used. 

Garlic,  onions  or  asafoetida  given  with  the  food  or 
drinking  water  is  considered  valuable.  Turpentine 
smeared  on  the  underside  of  the  neck  and  breast  does 
some  good.  Professor  Law  says,  "tobacco  smoke  may 
be  blown  under  the  cloth  covering  the  birds  until  they 
fall  over  inanimate,  when  the  cloth  is  removed  and 
they  revive  in  the  open  air." 

Poultry  yards  which  are  known  to  be  polluted  with 
gapes  should  be  covered  thickly  with  salt  and  lime, 
which  will  destroy  the  worms  and  eggs. 

By  taking  all  the  precautions  laid  down  in  this  ar- 
ticle, gapes  can  be  prevented  in  a  measure,  at  least, 
which  is  far  better  than  curative  treatment  which  is 
very  tedious  and  often  unsatisfactory. 

Fumigating  with  carbolic  acid  is  very  good.  To  do 
this  take  a  box  three  feet  long,  put  in  a  partition  of 
lath  or  wire  netting,  place  the  chicks  in  one  end  and  a 
hot  brick  or  live  coals  in  the  other,  on  which  pour  car- 
bolic acid  at  intervals.     Keep  the  box  covered  as  tight 


DISEASES  OF  THE  RESPIRATORY  ORGANS.    23 

as  it  is  safe  to  do  without  suffocating  the  patients; 
this  should  be  repeated  daily  as  long  as  necessary. 

FOOD  LODGED  IN  THE  TRACHEA  OR  WINDPIPE. 

Particles  of  food  may  accidentally  be  drawn  into  the 
windpipe  (trachea)  and  will  usually  pass  down  until  they 
reach  the  place  where  the  trachea  divides  to  pass 
into  each  lung;  the  voice  or  crowing  organs  are  located 
at  this  point,  hence  a  very  characteristic  syn^.ptom  is  a 
shrill  or  crowing  noise.  Other  symptoms  are  such  as 
difficult  breathing  and  the  comb  turning  blue  suddenly. 

Treatment  is  hopeless  unless  the  foreign  body  is 
lodged  well  up  in  the  windpipe,  when  it  may  be  worked 
up  by  pressing  and  rubbing  upwards  with  the  thumb 
and  finger;  or  if  this  fails,  a  small  opening  may  be  cut 
into  the  trachea  directly  on  the  obstruction,  which 
should  again  be  closed  nicely  with  a  few  very  fine  silk 
stitches,  and  the  wound  kept  covered  with  boracic  acid 
or  soda  until  healed. 

air  sack  mites  or  pneumomycoses. 

This  is  a  mite  or  parasite,  ''Cytodites  nudus",  found 
in  the  air  sacks  about  the  lungs  and  sometimes  inside 
of  the  bones,  as  in  fowls  there  is  communication  be- 
tween the  air  sacks  and  bones. 

These  mites  may  be  likened  unto  Mange  parasites 
and  if  they  are  found,  upon  examination,  they  will 
appear  to  the  naked  eye  in  the  form  of  small  white  or 
yellow  nodules. 

Causes:  The  parasites  are  supposed  to  form  in  a 
mould  growing  on  dead  organic  matter  and  are  either 


24  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

taken  with  the  food  and  water  or  are  inhaled  in  the 
form  of  dust. 

Symptoms  in  the  early  stages  are  not  noticeable  and 
at  the  best  are  very  unreliable.  About  the  first  that 
will  be  noticed  is  drowsiness  and  weakness;  the  bird 
will  not  follow  the  flock;  breathing  will  become  difficult; 
the  patient  may  utter  cries,  especially  during  expira- 
tion, but  the  throat,  upon  examination  will  be  found 
healthy;  great  thirst  and  often  little  or  no  appetite; 
there  is  rapid  emaciation;  a  fetid  diarrhoea  may  set  in 
and  prove  fatal  in  from  one  to  six  or  eight  weeks. 

Treatment  must  be  principally  fumigating  and 
hygienic,  although  internal  remedies  are  also  indicated. 
The  affected  birds  should  be  removed  from  the  flock. 

Tar  fumes  are  especially  valuable,  or  turpentine 
poured  on  a  hot  brick  will  be  found  a  good  way  to 
fumigate.  Care  must  be  taken  that  the  fumes  are 
not  sufficiently  strong  to  cause  suffocation. 

For  internal  treatment  give  five  or  ten  grains  each 
of  sulphur  and  hyposulphite  of  soda,  once  a  day;  the 
food  must  be  wholesome  and  nutritious.  The  walls  of 
the  hen  house  should  be  whitewashed;  the  roosts  and 
floors  washed  with  a  5%  solution  of  carbolic  acid,  or 
with  Chloro-naptholeum  or  some  such  preparation; 
the  runs  should  be  frequently  sprinkled  with  lime. 
Convalescing  fowls  should  not  be  returned  to  the 
main  flock  too  soon. 


CHAPTER  3. 


Diseases  of  the  Digestive  Organs. 


Catarrhal  Stomatitis,  Sore  Mouth  or  Pip— Obstruction  in 
the  Throat— Impaction  of  the  Crop,  Crop-bound,  or 
Paralysis  of  the  Crop— Catarrh,  or  Inflammation  ol  the 
Crop— Indigestion  or  Ga^ritis— Gastro-Intestinal  Cat- 
arrh, Bowel  Trouble  in  Chicks— Simple  Diarrhoea- 
Enteritis,  Inflammation  of  the  Bowels— Constipa- 
tion—Congestion  ot  the  Liver— Inflammation  of  the 
Liver,  Hepatitis  — Infectious  Entero-Hepatitis  or  Black 
Head  in  Turkeys— Cholera  — Worms— Asthenia,  Going 
Light — Peritonitis  and  Abdominal  Dropsy— Limber 
Neck,  Ptomaine  Poison. 


CATARRHAL  stomatitis  is  a  catarrhal  inflamma- 
tion of  the  mouth;  the  disease  is  oten  called  pip. 
Dr.  Salmon  says:  "The  term  pip  is  commonly 
used  with  birds  much  as  hollow-horn  and  murrain  are 
applied  to  cattle  diseases,"  and  most  everybody  now- 
adays knows  that  those  are  only  imaginary  diseases, 
or  symptoms  of  some  other  trouble  in  cattle. 

25 


26  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

Causes.  Sore  mouth  is  often  associated  with 
catarrh  and  roup,  but  it  is  very  frequently  a  local 
trouble  caused  by  the  bird  tekirg  some  irritant,  or  by 
exposure  to  dampness  and  f.lth;  especially  is  gas  aris- 
ing from  decomposed  hen  manure  in  an  illy-ventilated 
hen-house  a  fruitful  cause.  Injuries,  suffcient  to  pro- 
duce inflammation,  may  be  mentioned  as  another  cause. 

Symptoms:  These  consist  of  the  beak  being  held 
open  and  a  false  membrane  or  horny  substance  accu- 
mulating on  the  tongue  and  in  the  corners  of  the 
mouth;  there  may  be  a  cough  of  a  croupy  nature:  the 
fowl  occasionally  jerks  its  head  and  may  emit  a  shrill 
sound. 

Treatment:  The  false  membrane  should  be  re- 
moved, if  this  can  be  done  without  causing  too  much 
pain,  and  the  parts  washed  with  a  solution  of  borax, 
Dne  dram  to  four  ounces  of  water;  or  a  five  per  cent 
solution  of  chlorate  of  potash,  or  if  removing  the 
membrane  is  very  difficult  and  painful,  apply  with  a 
brush  a  solution  made  by  dissolving  a  little  hyposul' 
phite  of  soda  in  glycerine. 

OBSTRUCTION  IN  THE  THROAT. 

This  is  a  condition  that  occasionally  happens  when 

the  bird  attempts  to  swallow  some  large  or  irregular 

substance,  such  as  a  large  bolus  of  food  or  a  piece  of 
green  bone. 
The  trouble  is  characterized  by  the  fowl  attempting 

to  rid  itself  of  it,    and  if  the  substance  is  at  all  hard 

or  firm  it  can  be  felt  by  placing  the  finger  and  thumb 
along  each  side  of  the  throat. 


Black  Javas. 


Single  Comb  Rhode  Island  Reds. 


<¥l- 


'■^.^^■^_^'^^ 


Light  Brahmas, 


Dark  Brahmas. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS.      27 

Relief  must  be  given  as  quickly  as  possible,  as  there 
is  danger  of  suffocation. 

This  can  often  be  accomplished  by  manipulating  the 
sides  of  the  the  throat  carefully  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  work  the  obstruction  upward  into  the  mouth.  This 
can  be  facilitated  by  pouring  a  little  sweet  oil  into 
the  throat.  Occasionally  it  may  be  necessary  to  use 
blunt  forceps. 

IMPACTION  OF  THE  CROP— CROP  BOUND  OR  PARALYSIS 

OF  THE  CROP. 

This  is   a  condition  in  which  the  walls  of  the  crop 

become  partially  paralyzed  because  of  the  organ  being 

distended  with  coarse,  bulky  or  indigestible  food,  or 

it  may  be  brought  about  by  depriving  the  bird  of  food 

for  a  considerable  length  of  time,  and  then  allowing  all 

it  can  eat. 
Still  another  cause  is  ''Aberration  of  the  Appetite" 

which  means  an  abnormal  appetite,  in  which  case  the 
fowl  will  seek  indigestible  food,  such  as  leaves,  straw, 
etc.,  or  at  times  it  will  eat  very  little;  then  again  will 
eat  large  quantities  of  food  which,  by  being  retained, 
ferments  and  greatly  aggravates  matters. 

Symptoms:  The  patient  appears  dull  and  its  move- 
ments are  sluggish;  the  crop  is  fnll,  sometimes  dis- 
tended to  an  enormous  size  and  will  feel  more  or  less 
hard,  and  when  fermentation  of  the  contents  has  tak- 
en place  a  sour  liquid  may  escape  from  the  mouth,  es- 
pecially when  the  bird  is  held  with  the  head  down; 
the  comb  becomes  pale  or  dark  and  if  relief  is  not  af- 


28  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

forded  the  fowl  may  die,  or  gangrene  of  the  crop 
may  be  the  result. 

Treatment:  One  or  two  teaspoonfuls  of  castor  oil, 
or,  if  this  is  not  at  hand,  two  tablespoonfuls  of  warm 
water  should  be  given  at  once;  then  the  crop  should 
be  carefully  kneaded  with  the  thumb  and  finger  in 
such  a  m.anner  as  to  press  the  contents  toward  the 
mouth;  the  head  must  be  suspended  frequently  to  al- 
low the  food  to  drop  from  the  mouth. 

By  being  persistent  this  method  usually  is  success- 
ful; if  not,  or  if  the  contents  are  hard  or  irregular,  as 
pieces  of  bone,  etc.,  an  opening  must  be  made  into 
the  crop  which  should  not  be  more  than  one-half  to 
one  inch  in  length.  Before  making  the  incision  the 
feathers  should  be  removed;  then  with  a  clean  sharp 
knife  it  should  be  made  rather  high  on  the  crop  and 
the  mass  removed  carefully:  then  wash  the  wound 
with  warm  water  in  which  a  little  soda  has  been  dis- 
solved and  stitch  the  edges  together  nicely  with  silk; 
give  the  bird  no  food  for  24  hours,  after  which  feed 
lightly  with  milk  and  soft  feed.  Give  three  to  five 
grains  of  bicarbonate  of  soda  and  a  few  drops  of  tinc- 
ture gentian  in  the  milk  three  times  a  day.  The 
stitches  should  be  removed  in  a  week. 

CATARRH,  on  INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  CROP. 

Catarrh  of  the  crop  is  a  congestion  or  inflammation 
of  the  mucous  lining  of  this  organ  and  serious  diges- 
tive troubles  are  the  result. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS.     29 

Causes:  These  can  usually  be  attributed  to  feed- 
ing unwholesome  food,  irregular  feeding  or  overfeed- 
ing, or  it  may  be  the  result  of  the  bird  eating  some 
irritant  or  poison,  or  it  may  follow  impaction  of  the 
crop;  still  another  cause  is  the  presence  of  small 
worms  which  infest  the  crop,  oesophagus  and  gizzard. 

Symptoms:  These  somewhat  resemble  symptoms 
of  impaction,  but  in  catarrh  the  distended  crop  will 
feel  soft  and  will  be  found  to  contain  liquid  and  gas, 
with  some  food,  and  the  odor  from,the  bird's  mouth, 
when  pressing  on  the  crop,  will  be  sour  and  offensive. 

Treatment:  Empty  the  crop  at  once  by  careful 
pressure  and  manipulating  the  contents  toward  the 
mouth  while  the  fowl  is  held  with  the  head  down; 
then  place  the  patient  in  a  clean,  dry,  comfortable 
coop,  and  twice  a  day  give  five  grains  of  bicarbonate 
of  soda,  two  grains  of  subnitrate  of  bismuth  and  a 
few  drops  of  tincture  gentian. 

Food  should  be  with-held  for  a  day  or  so;  then  feed 
light  diet,  such  as  boiled  rice,  beef  broth,  etc. 

For  symptoms  and  treatment  for  worms  see  article 
on  those  parasites. 

INDIGESTION  OR  GASTRITIS. 

The  digestion  of  the  fowl  is  rather  complicated  and 
any  interference  with  its  proper  function  often  gives 
serious  troubles. 

Just  below  the  crop,  or  between  the  crop  and  th6 
gizzard,  is  a  small  pouch  or  dilated  portion  of  the 
oesophagus   called  the  proventriculus,  in  which  the 


30  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

glands  that  secrete  gastric  juice,  are  situated  and  the 
food  by  passing  slowly  through  this  pouch,  or  true 
stomach,  becomes  mixed  with  the  necessary  digestive 
ferments  or  juice;  hence,  any  interference  with  the 
food  passing  through  the  proventriculus,  either  from 
disorder  of  the  crop  or  the  gizzard  or  by  soured  food 
irritating  the  organ  and  interfering  with  the  normal 
flow  of  the  digestive  juice  will  result  in  indigestion. 

Causes:  These  are  numerous;  anything  that  inter- 
feres with  the  proper  functions  of  the  digestive  organs 
will  bring  about  indigestion,  such  as  not  allowing  a 
sufficient  amount  of  grit,  over  feeding,  long  continued 
use  of  stimulants,  as  pepper,  or  very  rich  food  and  lack 
of  exercise,  and  I  believe  one  of  the  most  frequent 
causes  is  the  bird  eating  soured  food,  which  is  often 
the  case  when  soft  food  is  fed  during  the  summer  and 
some  allowed  to  remain  in  the  feed  troughs  for  some 
time. 

Drinking  impure  water  or  eating  poisons,  such  as 
rat  poison;  or  occasionally  a  fowl  will  swallow  some 
sharp  object,  as  a  pin  or  a  sharp  piece  of  bone  which 
may  lodge  in  the  proventriculus. 

Symptoms:  The  fowl  will  appear  dull  and  drowsy; 
there  will  be  very  little  or  no  appetite;  some  of  the 
food  will  usually  remain  in  the  crop,  which  will  feel 
doughy  and  soon  become  sour;  the  fowl  will  usually 
linger  along  for  several  days,  or  occasionally  the 
trouble  becomes  somewhat  chronic  and  jdiarrhoea  sets 
in  if  not  relieved,  while  others  live  but  a  short  time. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS.     31 

Treatment:  Put  the  bird  in  a  comfortable  place 
by  itself,  give  one  or  two  teaspoonfuls  of  castor  oil, 
follow  in  several  hours  by  giving  a  teaspoonfiil  of  the 
following  three  or  four  times  a  day: 

Ingluvin 20  grains. 

Tr.  Nux  Vomica 10  drops. 

Dil.  Hydrochloric  Acid  5  drops. 

Water 2  oz. 

Feed  light  diet  as  recommended   for  catarrh  of  the 
crop. 
GASTRO-INTRSTINAL      CATARRH —BOWEL      TROUBLE     IN 

CHICKS. 

This  is  a  catarrhal  condition  or  an  inflammation  of  the 
mucous  lining  of  the  whole  digestive  tract.  It  is  the 
condition  known  by  the  name  ''bowel  trouble"  in 
young  chicks  which  perhaps  causes  greater  loss  of 
chicks,  a  few  weeks  old,  than  any  other  disease. 
However,  older  fowls  are  not  exempt  and  in  these  it  is 
often  mistaken  for  cholera  which  disease  it  somewhat 
resembles  but  does  not  prove  so  rapidly  fatal. 

Causes:  It  can  usually  be  attributed  to  errors  in 
feeding  or  poor  management  and  bad  sanitary  condi- 
tions, such  as  overfeeding  or  heavy  feeding  after  let- 
ting the  chicks  become  very  hungry,  or  by  feeding  too 
freequently,  or  by  feeding  very  rich  and  stimulating,  or 
tainted,  or  soured  or  mouldy  food,  or  allowing  fowls 
to  drink  bad,  filthy  water.  Then,  there  are  other 
causes,  such  as  being  chilled  on  cold  floors,  or  exposure 
to  dampness  or  cold;  especially  is  this  the  case  in  young 


32  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

chicks;  often  brooder  chicks  are  overcrowded  and 
overheated,  which  reduces  the  vitality,  and  when  let 
out  in  the  open  air  they  become  chilled  and  bowel 
trouble  is  the  result. 

In  old  fowls,  exposure  to  draughts,  cold  rains,  etc., 
during  molting  time,  may  be  followed  by  an  attack 
of  gastro-intestinal  catarrh. 

Going  back  again  to  the  causes  that  may  produce 
the  trouble  in  young  chicks;  over-heating  in  the  incu- 
bator or  feeding  while  too  young  are  often  the  very 
start  of  bowel  diseases  because  of  the  debilitating 
effects  on  the  chicks'  system. 

Symptoms:  There  is  usually  great  thirst,  loss  of 
appetite,  food  often  remains  in  the  crop;  the  bird  is 
dull,  with  wings  hanging  down;  the  droppings  are  thin 
and  of  a  whitish  or  sometimes  of  a  yellowish  or  green- 
ish color,  and  seem  to  be  of  a  sticky  nature,  espec- 
ially in  young  chicks,  when  a  mass  of  excrement  will 
often  accumulate  about  the  anus,  and  when  they 
are  kept  in  a  brooder  this  will  dry  on  and  some- 
times totally  obstruct  the  cloaca.  There  are  usually 
frequent  attempts  to  expel  the  excrement,  which  are 
often  accompanied  with  pain  and  much  straining.  The 
trouble  may  soon  terminate  in  death  or  it  may  termin- 
ate in  a  severe  diarrhoea  or  inflammation  of  the  bowels. 

Treatment:  In  the  first  place  the  cause  must  be 
sought  and  removed;  then,  in  young  chicks,  a  grain 
each  of  bicarbonate  of  soda  and  subnitrate  of  bis- 
muth, and  a  drop  of  tincture  gentian  given  three  or 


^^^  COwM»v«    OHIO/ 


Buff  Cochins. 


White  Cochins, 


White  Langshans. 


^ .    .  ^^^3?^^^^^^^-^"'^" ' 


-.-..•y;r.^*;»  »-"*'7'*'-' 


Black  Langshans. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS.    33 

four  times  a  day  proves  very  successful.  Boiled  milk 
and  lime  water,  equal  parts,  or  weak  store  tea  given 
to  drink  for  a  few  days  is  sometimes  all  the  treatment 
necessary;  of  course,  whatever  the  treatment  given, 
the  feeding  must  be  carefully  regulated;  boiled  rice 
and  oatmeal  are  good  light  diet,  or,  for  chicks,  there  is 
nothing  better  than  very  hard,  dry,  toasted  bread. 

Another  very  good  treatment  is  to  give  one  or  two 
drops  of  castor  oil,  followed  by  a  grain  of  equal  parts 
of  bicarbonate  of  soda  and  powdered  rhubarb  given 
three  times  a  day  to  each  chick.  Never  attempt  treat- 
ment until  the  cause  is  removed. 

Treatment  for  old  fowls  differs  only  in  that  the  doses 
should  be  larger  and,  when  due  to  their  eating  some- 
thing unwholesome,  a  teaspoonful  of  castor  oil  may  be 
given  before  the  other  medicine,  to  cleanse  the  digestive 
tract. 

A  dram  of  sulphate  of  iron  dissolved  in  each  quart  of 
drinking  v/ater  once  a  day  often  works  very  nicely 
when  there  are  only  mild  attacks  and  where  a  large 
flock  of  chicks  are  to  be  treated. 

SIMPLE   DIARRHCEA. 

Diarrhoea  is  usually  a  symptom  of  some  other  trouble 
or  it  may  be  due  to  the  fowls  eating  something  that 
will  act  as  a  purge. 

It  is  characterized  by  a  very  watery  evacuation  of 
the  bowels,  often  without  any  other  apparent  ill  condi- 
tion of  the  bird,  unless  it  is  the  symptom  of  some 


34  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

other  trouble,  in  which  case  the  existing  disease  must 
be  treated  accordingly. 

Treatment:  Seek  the  cause  and  remove  it  if  possi- 
ble; then  make  a  tea  of  white  oak  bark  or  blackberry 
roots  and  give  to  drink,  or  moisten  a  feed  of  ground 
oats  or  corn  meal  with  the  tea;  or,  in  very  obstinate 
cases,  from  one  to  five  drops  of  laudanum  may  be  given 
several  times  a  day  as  long  as  necessary. 

ENTERITIS  — INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  BOWELS. 

Enteritis  is  an  inflammation  principally  of  the  muc- 
ous membrane  lining  the  intestines,  but  in  advanced 
cases  the  muscular  coats  are  also  involved.  All  fowls 
are  subject  to  this  trouble  but  ducks  are  very  suscep- 
tible. 

Cause:  In  most  cases  the  disease  is  caused  by 
germs,  of  which  there  are  a  number  of  different  kinds 
that  are  implicated  in  producing  it;  the  germs  are  prin- 
cipally taken  into  the  system  with  the  food  and  water. 
Half-grown  fowls  or  fowls  that  are  in  a  debilitated 
condition  succumb  more  readily. 

Poisons  or  irritants  taken  into  the  digestive  tract 
are  also  capable  of  producing  enteritis;  common  salt, 
meat  or  fish  brine,  rat  poison,  Paris  Green,  paint, 
lye,  etc.,  are  the  most  common  among  these.  I  wish 
to  state  here  that  common  salt  is  very  injurious  to 
poultry  if  given  in  excess,  while  a  very  small  amount 
is  essential. 

Symptoms:  The  fowl  will  appear  dull  and  sleepy; 
there  is  great  thirst,  but  very  little  or  no  appetite; 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS.      35 

the  feathers  appear  rough;  the  head,  wings,  and  tail 
will  droop;  the  discharge  from  the  bowels  is  first  a 
bluish  green  color,  but  later  yellow  and  bloody,  which 
is  one  diagnostic  symptom  and  one  which  differs  from 
cholera,  which  the  disease  somewhat  resembles,  but 
enteritis  is  confined  mostly  to  a  single  flock  and  proves 
most  disastrous  to  young  or  half  grown  birds,  while 
cholera  affects  old  and  young,  spreads  very  rapidly  and 
proves  fatal  in  a  short  time. 

Those  cases  that  are  due  to  poisons  or  irritants  will 
manifest  practically  the  same  symptoms,  but  as  soon  as 
the  poison  is  removed  the  trouble  will  spread  no  fur- 
ther and  will  be  confined  to  those  only  that  had  access 
to  it. 

Prevention  and  Treatment:  Remove  the  sick  from 
the  flock,  deeply  bury  or  burn  the  dead;  the  house  and 
runs  must  be  kept  scrupulously  clean;  the  floors  should 
occasionally  be  sprinkled  with  carbolic  acid  solution; 
the  yards  sprinkled  with  hme  and  the  house  fumigated 
with  sulphur  as  directed  in  chapter  on  disinfecting. 

Food  and  water  should  be  pure  and  should  be  scalded 
or  boiled.  Those  that  require  treatment  should  be  put 
in  a  comfortable  place  away  from  the  healthy  and 
should  be  fed  a  light  diet,  such  as  boiled  rice  or  stale 
bread  soaked  in  milk;  and  give  a  grain  each  of  naphtha- 
fin  and  quinine  with  a  few  grains  of  powdered  charcoal 
two  or  three  times  a  day;  or  a  few  grains  of  bicar- 
bonate of  soda  and  a  grain  each  of  Dover's  Powders 
and  salicylate  of  bismuth  three  or  four  times  a  day. ' 


36  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

These  drugs  should  be  given  in  a  little  soft  feed  or 
out  of  a  spoon,  mixed  with  a  little  slippery  elm  or  flax- 
seed water. 

After  the  diarrhoea  is  checked  and  there  are  no  more 
bloody  evacuations,  a  few  drops  of  tincture  gentian 
should  be  given  three  times  a  day  and  a  dram  or  two 
of  sulphate  of  iron  dissolved  in  each  quart  of  drinking 
water. 

When  the  trouble  is  due  to  poisons  or  irritants,  the 
cause  must  be  removed  at  once  and  demulcent  drinks, 
such  as  flaxseed  or  slippery  elm  tea  should  be  given 
with  stimulants,  such  as  coffee  and  a  little  brandy. 

CONSTIPATION. 

Constipation  is  dryness  and  accumulation  of  the  con- 
tents of  the  intestines  and  may  lead  to  total  obstruc- 
tion of  the  bowels. 

Causes:  Constipation  may  be  due  to  the  bird  eat- 
ing dry  astringent  food,  as  broken  acorns,  cheese, 
etc.,  or  it  may  follow  diarrhoea  or  intestinal  catarrh, 
because  of  the  mucous  lining  of  the  intestines  being 
irritated  and  therefore  not  secreting  the  normal 
amount  of  fluids,  or,  in  those  bowel  disorders,  the 
feathers  often  become  so  firmly  matted  together  that 
the  anus  becomes  obstructed  and  defecation  becomes 
painful  or  impossible. 

Accumulation  of  egg  matter  in  the  oviduct,  from 
broken  eggs,  may  also  cause  filling  up  of  indigestible 
matter  in  Uie  bowels  by  pressing  upon  and  obstructing 
the  cloaca.     . 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS.      37 

Symptoms  are  hard,  dry  droppings;  the  feathers 
about  the  anus  may  be  matted,  this,  however,  is  us- 
ually the  result  of  previous  diarrhoea;  there  are  fre- 
quent but  ineffectual  attempts  to  evacuate  the  bowels; 
the  fowl  v/ill  become  dull,  will  stand  with  back  arched, 
walk  sluggishly  and  vrith  drooped  head;  the  hard  mass 

or  distended  bowel  may  often  be  felt  through  the  ab- 
dominal walls. 

Treatment:  In  mild  cases,  laxatives,  such  as  one 
or  two  teaspoonfuls  of  castor  oil  or  ten  to  thirty 
grains  of  Epsom  salts  in  a  spoonful  of  warm  water 
given  occasionally  is  all  that  is  necessary.  In  obsti- 
nate cases  or  where  the  bowel  is  obstructed  mechanical 
means  must  be  connected  with  the  above  treatment. 
In  such  cases  the  feathers  must  be  clipped  off,  if  any 
are  matted  about  the  anus.  This  is  often  best  done 
by  soaking  the  parts  a  while  in  warm  water;  then  ol- 
ive oil  or  warm  soapy  water  should  be  injected  into 
the  cloaca  with  a  small  syringe,  and  in  an  hour  the  hard 
mass  should  ba  carefully  manipulated  and  removed 
with  the  finger  or  some  blunt  instrumant,  such  as  the 
end  of  a  teaspoon  handle.  If  there  should  be  a  broken 
egg,  treat  accordingly. 

The  food  should  be  soft  and  sloppy  and  green  food 
should  be  provided;  for  this  onions  are  especially  valu- 
able. 

CONGESTION   OF  THE  lilVER. 

Congestion  of  the  liver  is  an  abnormal  filling  up 
with  blood  in  this  organ. 


38  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

Cause  is  overfeeding,  especially  with  very  nutri- 
tious or  stimulating  food,  such  as  too  much  corn,  buck- 
wheat, pepper,  ginger,  etc.  Especially  is  this  kind  of 
feeding  dangerous  when  fowls  are  closely  confined. 
It  is  also  associated  with  certain  diseases,  as  cholera 
or  diseases  of  the  lungs  and  heart. 

Symptoms  are  seldom  noticeabla  until  the  stage  of 
inflammation  takes  place,  but  if  any  are  noticed,  they 
are  such  as  irregularity  of  the  bowels  and  appetite; 
the  fowl  will  at  times  appear  sleepy;  the  comb  and 
wattles  may  become  bluish,  then  yellow. 

Treatment:  Carefully  regulate  the  diet  and  avoid 
such  causes  as  mentioned  above;  give  from  ten  to 
twenty  grains  of  Epsom  salts  once  a  day  for  several 
days;  compel  the  fowl  to  exercise  by  giving  free 
range,  or  provide  a  scratching  pen  with  chaff  or 
leaves,  and  feed  plenty  of  green  vegetables. 

inflammation  of  the  liver— hepatitis. 

This  disease  is  alwa^'-s  preceded  by  congestion, 
therefore  the  causes  are  the  same. 

Symptoms  are  sluggishness,  loss  of  appetite,  yel- 
lowishness  of  the  comb,  wattles  and  eyes;  often  there 
is  a  diarrhoea  of  a  whitish  watery  nature  and  pressure 
on  the  abdomen  shows  tenderness  and  pain. 

Post-mortem  appearance:  Upon  examination  the 
liver  will  be  found  enlarged  and  frequently  there  are 
yellow  patches  or  abscesses  seen  over  its  surface;  it 

U  usually  soft  and  easily  torn, 


Single  Comb  Buff  Leghorns, 


ChM.t.Slilea- 
-Sciunibua,  0~ 


giiigl©  Comb  Black  Minorcas, 


I 


M^^'. 


'^  lis; 


.^o      "10^5. Q, 


-  ^^*iiIW>,^  1  ' 


Single  Comb  White  Leghorns. 


Rose  Comb  Whith  Leghorns. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS.    29 

Treatment:  Give  Epsom  salts  in  ten  to  thirty 
grains  twice  a  day  for  two  days,  followed  by  giving 
two  drops  of  dilute  nitro-muriatic  acid  in  a  teaspoon- 
ful  of  water  three  times  a  day.  Another  excellent 
treatment  is  Podophyllin,  one  half-grain,  and  calomel 
one-fourth  grain,  twice  a  day  for  several  days,  follow- 
ed with  a  few  drops  of  fluid  extract  of  hydrastis  three 
times  a  day. 

The  diet  should  be  the  same  as  directed  under  con- 
gestion of  the  liver. 

INFECTIOUS      ENTERO-HEPATITIS      OR      BLACKHEAD      IN 

TURKEYS. 

This  is  an  infectious  disease  in  turkeys  and  is  most 
destructive  to  the  young  or  rather  half  grown  (from 
four  to  five  months  old.) 

It  is  due  to  the  germ  Amoeba  Meleagridis  enter- 
ing the  digestive  tract  with  the  food  and  water,  af- 
fecting principally  the  liver  and  double  bowel  (caeca.) 

Cause:  As  stated  above,  the  direct  cause  is  a  germ 
and  bad  hygienic  conditions,  such  as  filthy  feeding 
places  or  impure  drinking  water,  greatly  favor  its 
propagation. 

Symptoms:  These  vary  in  different  cases  according 
to  the  intensity  of  the  disease.  Those  most  general 
are  drooping  of  the  head  and  wings,  moping,  loss  of 
appetite;  there  is  a  yellowish  or  greenish  diarrhoea 
which  is  one  of  the  most  marked  symptoms;  the  head 
becomes  dark  or  in  some  cases,  nearly  black,  which 
gives  the  disease  the  common. name  "Black  Head." 


40  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

Another  diagnostic  symptom  is  the  great  prevalence 
of  the  disease,  which  shows  that  it  is  of  an  infectious 
nature.  The  post-mortem  condition  is  also  a  useful 
guide;  the  liver  will  be  inflamed  and  enlarged  and 
deep-seated  spots  will  appear  which  are  of  various 
colors,  as  brownish  red,  yellow,  and  pale  or  grayish 
dirty  white.  The  caeca  (double  bowel)  will  be  found 
greatly  enlarged  and  the  walls  thickened;  the  contents 
are  usually  a  pasty  green  substance,  although  in  some 
instances  the  caeca  will  be  plugged  with  a  mass  of 
broken  down  mucous  or  lining  from  the  bowel. 

Treatment  is  of  the  nature  of  intestinal  antiseptics 
and  tonics.  Place  the  sick  bird  by  itself  and  give  one 
or  two  teaspoonfuls  of  castor  oil;  follow  in  a  few  hours 
by  giving  one  or  two  grains  each  of  quinine  and  salol 
three  times  a  day;  or,  five  grains  of  sulphur  and  one 
grain  each  of  quinine  and  sulphate  of  iron  three  times 
a  day. 

But  since  treatment  is  almost  useless,  unless  the 
source  of  infection  is  removed,  preventive  measures 
are  absolutely  necessary.  The  well  should  be  removed 
to  a  non-infected  place  at  once  and  should  not  be  per- 
mitted to  come  in  contact  with  the  infected  runs  or 
sick  fowls  and  should  be  fed  through  a  slatted  parti- 
tion or  in  such  a  way  that  they  can  not  carry  infection 
on  the  food  with  their  feet.  The  same  precaution 
should  be  observed  with  the  drinking  water,  which 
must  be  pure,  and,  of  course,  thorough  disinfecting 
must  be  carried  out  by  sprinkling  the  floors  once  a 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS.      41 

week  with  a  solution  of  carbolic  acid;  see  germs  and 
disinfectants,  page  9. 

All  manure  or  droppings  should  be  carefully  remov- 
ed each  day  and  burned,  as  well  as  all  dead  turkeys. 
No  turkeys  that  have  been  with  the  affected  should  be 
kept  for  breeding  purposes  but  should  be  fattened  and 
disposed  of. 

Eggs  should  be  obtained  from  healthy  stock  and  the 
young  kept  so  far  away  from  the  old  infected  runs 
that  they  cannot  come  in  contact  with  them,  nor  have 
access  to  drinking  water  that  may  drain  the  infected 
runs. 

By  taking  all  the  precautions  possible,  in  the  way 
of  preventing  infection  from  the  old  runs  and  from 
exposed  fowls,  there  is  a  fair  possibility  of  eradicat- 
ing the  disease. 

By  leaving  the  old  runs  unoccupied  for  two  years, 
turkeys  can  again  be  raised  with  comparative|[safety. 

CHOLERA. 

Cholera  is  an  acute  infectious  disease  and  one  of  the 
most  fatal  with  which  poultry  becomes  afflicted.  It 
affects  all  domestic  fowls;  even  ducks  are  not  free 
from  it,  and  rabbits  when  exposed  or  inoculated  with 
the  germ  become  affected;  the  disease  is  so  fatal  that 
the  per  cent,  of  mortality  reaches  from  90  to  95. 

Causes:  The  direct  cause  is  a  germ,  ''Bacterium 
cholera  gallinaceae,"  usually  taken  into  the  system 
with  the  food  and  water,  or  it  may  be  inhaled  with 


42  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOPv. 

dust  or  inoculated  through  a  wound.  But  there  are 
many  accessory  causes  that  favor  the  propagating  and 
disseminating  of  the  germs,  such  as  filth  and  over- 
crowding, fowls  drinking  filthy,  stagnant  water,  allow- 
ing the  droppings  to  accumulate,  especially  during  hot 
weather.  The  disease  may  be  contracted  at  poultry 
shows  or  fairs,  where  birds  may  become  aflfected  and 
carry  the  disease  to  poultry  yards,  or  buzzards  feed- 
ing on  a  fowl  that  has  died  from  cholera  may  readily 
carry  the  infection  for  miles  and  contaminate  poultry 
yards.  Flies  are  capable  of  carrying  the  germ  by 
flying  from  the  decaying  carcass  of  a  fowl  that  has  died 
from  cholera,  on  the  food  of  healthy  fowls,  or  the 
food  may  become  contaminated  by  fowls  carrying  the 
germ  on  their  feet  or  bills.  Men  or  animals  may 
carry  it  with  their  shoes  or  feet. 

Symptoms:  There  is  extreme  dullncrs;  ruffling  of 
the  feathers;  the  bird  is  seen  off  by  itself  with  head 
and  wings  hanging  to  the  ground  and  is  apparently 
sleeping;  comb  and  wattles  are  of  violet  color;  no  ap- 
petite, but  great  thirst.  The  crop  is  nearly  always 
full,  which,  however,  is  a  symptom  of  almost  any  di- 
gestive disorder  and,  alone,  would  not  be  considered  a 
symptom  of  cholera.  Often  there  is  a  frothy  dis- 
charge from  the  mouth,  a  greenish  diarrhoea  will  sud- 
denly set  in  and  the  bird  will  in  many  cases  die  of 
convulsions. 

The  disease  usually  shows  itself  in  from  18  to  48 
hours  after  the  germ  has  been  taken  into  the  system, 


DISEASES  OP  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS.     43 

or  after  the  fowl  has  been  exposed,   and  lasts  from 
one  to  three  days. 

The  most  reliable  methods  of  diagnosing  cholera 
are  its  rapid  spreading  through  a  flock,  showing  its 
highly  contagious  character;  its  being  very  fatal  in 
a  few  days;  the  greenish  diarrhoea;  upon  examin- 
ing a  dead  fowl  the  internal  organs  are  nearly  all  more 
or  less  involved;  the  liver,  kidneys,  heart  and  spleen 
are  often  found  swollen,  red  or  congested;  the  bowels 
show  patches  of  congestion  and  inflammation  and 
occasionally  the  lungs  will  be  found  engorged. 

Prevention:  Because  of  cholera  being  due  to 
germs  and  therefore  infectious,  all  efforts  possible 
should  be  put  forth  to  prevent  its  spreading,  by  such 
mediums  as  explained  above,  and  where  there  is  an 
outbreak  the  sick  should  be  isolated  from  the  well, 
the  premises  cleaned  and  disinfected  at  least  twice  a 
week  by  washing  the  floors  and  roosts  with  a  carbolic 
acid  solution,  one  pound  dissolved  in  three  gallons  of 
hot  water,  and,  if  possible,  the  walls  whitewashed.  The 
droppings  and  dead  birds  should  be  burned  daily.  The 
drinking  water  should  be  previously  boiled  and  given 
in  vessels  that  are  scalded  and  cleaned  each  day. 
Feeding  and  watering  should  be  done  through  a  slat- 
ted partition  to  prevent  carrying  infection  on  the  food 
and  water  with  their  feet. 

For  those  that  are  not  yet  afflicted,  a  teaspoonful 
of  dilute  sulphuric  acid  may  be  added  to  each  quart 
of  drinking  water  once  a  day. 


44  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

Treatment  for  the  sick  is  almost  hopeless  and  I 
wish  to  caution  the  readers  of  this  little  book  not  to 
place  too  much  confidence  in  treating  the  sick  birds, 
but  use  all  the  precautions  possible  to  prevent  the 
spreading  of  the  disease. 

It  is  true  there  are  many  recommended  cures,  but 
the  reader  must  bear  in  mind  that  a  large  number  of 
supposed  cases  of  cholera  that  have  been  cured  were 
not  cholera,  but  some  other  bowel  trouble,  such  as  in- 
testinal catarrh,  enteritis,  ptomaine  poison,  etc.,  and 
in  such  cases  treatment  is  not  quite  so  hopeless;  hence 
the  good  results  in  supposed  cholera  cures. 

But  if  treatment  is  attempted,  as  is  often  desirable, 
especially  for  valuable  fowls,  the  following  is  very 
much  indicated:  Mix  15  drops  of  carbolic  acid  in 
eight  ounces  of  water  and  give  a  teaspoonful  every 
four  hours;  also  give  one  or  two  grains  each  of  quinine 
and  salicylate  of  soda  and  two  drops  of  tincture  opium 
in  a  spoonful  of  water  three    times  a  day. 

WORMS. 

Fowls,  like  other  domestic  animals,  frequently  be- 
come infested  with  worms. 

These  parasites  are  found  all  through  the  digestive 
tract,  principally  in  the  intestines,  but  several  small 
varities  are  found  in  the  oesophagus,  and  the  walls  of 
the  crop  and  gizzard.  There  are  many  varieties,  but 
they  can  be  classed  under  two  heads,  namely,  round 
worms  and  tape  worms. 


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Single  Comb  White  Minorcas. 


^y^r 


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Ros£  Comb  Brown  Leghorns. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS.      45 

Symptoms:  SaVne  as  in  other  animals;  there  is  gen- 
eral unthriftiness,  but  positive  diagnostic  symptoms 
are  not  very  characteristic,  save  one,  which  is  the 
presence  of  worms,  either  in  the  droppings  or  as 
shown  by  post-mortem  examination. 

The  most  common  symptoms  are;  the  bird  becomes 
poor  and  dull;  has  irregular  appetite,  sometimes  rav- 
enous, other  times  poor;  often  wanders  off  alone 
and  stands  or  sits  with  its  head  under  its  wing,  and 
frequently  there  is  dizziness  and  diarrhoea.  The 
feathers  will  soon  appear  rough. 

Treatment:  When  it  becomes  evident  that  fowls 
are  infested  with  worms  they  should  be  put  on  new 
runs,  or  the  old  runs  cleaned  and  sprinkled  with  air- 
slacked  lime  and  salt,  and,  if  convenient,  spaded  or 
ploughed;  feeding  should  be  done  on  a  clean  place 
where  there  are  no  droppings. 

For  a  vermicide,  turpentine  stands  at  the  head.  To 
administer  it  mix  with  equal  parts  of  sweet  oil  and 
give  one-half  teaspoonful  twice  a  day  for  several 
days,  or  until  the  bowels  move  freely;  follow  with 
•  tonics,  such  as  one  dram  of  sulphate  of  iron  dissolved 
in  each  gallon  of  drinking  water,  once  a  day.  For 
tape  worms,  powdered  areca-nut  or  powdered  male 
fern,  given  ingrain  doses  in  the  evening,  after  fast- 
ing for  ten  hours,  and  followed  the  next  morning  with 
thirty  grains  of  Epsom  salts  in  a  spoonful  of  water, 
is  excellent  treatment;  feeding  garlic  or  onions  is  also 
considered  good. 


46  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

ASTHENIA  — GOING  LIGHT. 

This  is  a  condition  in  fowls  for  which  there  aro  no 
particular  symptoms  except  gradual  and  extreme  loss 
in  weight. 

It  is  supposed  to  be  due  to  a  bacterium,  causing  a 
catarrhal  condition  of  the  duodenum  (the  first  portiLn 
of  the  intestine,  next  the  gizzard.)  The  disease  is 
therefore  infectious;  it  is  chronic,  usually  ending  in 
death  in  several  months. 

Treatment  is  first  looking  after  the  sanitary  con- 
ditions as  in  all  infectious  diseases,  and  removal  to  new 
runs  if  possible. 

Give  one-fourth  grain  of  calomel  every  four  hours 
until  the  bowels  move  freely;  follow  by  giving  five  or 
ten  drops  of  elixir  iron,  quinine  and  strychnine, 
three  times  a  day,  with  good  nutritious  food. 

PERITONITIS   and    ABDOMINAL   DROPSY. 

Peritonitis  is  inflammation  of  the  delicate  membrane 
which  lines  the  abdominal  cavity  and  covers  the  bow- 
els and  other  organs  in  the  abdomen. 

Causes:  It  may  be  caused  by  direct  injury,  such  as 
wounds  through  the  walls  into  the  abdomen,  or  some 
injury  to  the  bowels  causing  perforation  and  letting 
the  contents  escape  through,  or  it  may  be  inflamma- 
tion extending  from  other  organs,  as  the  liver,  bov/els, 
or  even  the  egg  organs  or  testicles;  it  often  follows 
caponizing. 

Symptoms;    There  is  evidence  of  great  pain  and  un- 

^Itainens;  the  bird  will  ftppe^r  hot  or  feverish,,  espec- 


47     DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS. 

ially  the  abdomen,  which  is  also  painful  upon  pressure; 
the  appetite  is  lost;  the  fowl  becomes  very  weak; 
death  may  take  place  in  a  few  days,  or  it  may  assume 
a  chronic  condition,  in  which  stage  a  liquid  will  be 
thrown  out  from  the  inflamed  membrane  causing  what 
is  known  as  "Abdominal  Dropsy,"  which  is  character- 
ized by  the  abdomen's  becoming  enlarged  and  feeling 
soft  like  a  water  bottle. 

Treatment  is  scarcely  profitable,  except  in  very 
mild  cases;  the  bowels  should  be  emptied  at  once  by 
giving  one  or  two  teaspoohfuls  of  castor  oil,  then,  if 
in  the  first  stage,  aconite  may  be  given;  put  ten  drops 
of  tincture  of  aconite  in  a  glass  of  water  and  give 
one-half  teaspoonful  every  two  hours  for  a  day,  fol- 
lowed by  giving  tincture  digitalis  prepared  the  same 
as  aconite,  for  a  few  days.  In  cases  where  there  is 
fluid  in  the  abdominal  cavity,  tapping  may  be  resorted 
to;  this  can  be  done  by  puncturing  the  lower  part  care- 
fully with  a  small  trochar  or  hollow  needle,  followed 
by  giving  one  grain  of  iodide  of  potash  in  a  teaspoon- 
ful of  water,  twice  a  day.  The  food  should  be  laxa- 
tive but  nutritious. 

LIMBER  NECK— PTOMAINE   POISON. 

This  is  a  disease  which  usually  attacks  fowls  very 
suddenly  and  rapidly  proves  fatal. 

Cause  is  supposed  to  be  ptomaine  poison,  which  en- 
ters the  system  by  fowls  eating  maggots  or  decom- 
posed meat,  such  as  a  carcass  of  another  fowl  or 
some  oth^r  anima),  or  epoiletl  meat  that  has  bten 


48  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

thrown  out;  also,  maggots  found  in  rotten  manure 
may  cause  it,  but,  perhaps,  are  not  so  apt  to  as  those 
gotten  from  rotten  meat. 

Symptoms:  The  disease  is  sometimes  so  rapidly- 
fatal  that  no  symptoms  are  noticed  before  the  death 
of  the  fowl,  but  where  the  illness  lasts  for  one  or  two 
days  there  will  be  extreme  prostration,  the  head  and 
neck  hanging  limp  (which  gives  it  the  name  of  ''Lim- 
ber Neck");  the  wings  of  the  fowl  are  drooped;  fre- 
quently there  is  a  diarrhoea;  the  feathers  often  be- 
come loose  and  drop  out;  the  fowl  may  lie  on  its 
breast  unable  to  rise,  and  occasionally  flutter,  or  die 
without  a  struggle. 

Treatment:  The  cause  must  be  sought  and  re- 
moved. As  a  preventive  for  those  that  are  not  al- 
ready afflicted,  dissolve  an  ounce  of  hyposulphite  of 
soda  in  each  gallon  of  their  drinking  water,  once  a 
day.  To  the  sick,  one-half  grain  of  calomel  may  be 
given  every  four  hours,  until  three  or  four  doses  are 
given.  Follow  with  a  grain  of  quinine  and  one  or  two 
drops  of  tincture  nux  vomica  given  thre3  times  a  day. 
Four  or  five  drops  of  turpentine  given  in  a  teaspoon- 
ful  of  sweet  milk,  three  or  four  times  a  day,  is  also 
said  to  be  a  speedy  cure. 


CHAPTER  4. 


Diseases  of  the  Heart. 


Pericarditis— Rupture  of  the  Heart. 


PERICARDITIS. 

THIS  is  an  inflammation  of  the  sack  around  the 
heart. 
Causes:  It  frequently  associates  other  diseases, 

such  as  diseases  of  the  lungs,  or  it  may  be  the  result 

of  exposure. 

Symptoms:  The  fowl  will  raise  its  head  and  breathe 
with  difficulty,  and,  by  placing  the  ear  to  the  chest,  a 
grating  or  splashing  noise  may  be  heard.  Exertion 
will  cause  great  exhaustion  and  sometimes  sudden 
death. 

Treatment  is  very  seldom  attempted  because  the 
disease  is  usually  unnoticed  until  after  death;  but,  if 
noticed,  five  drops  of  sweet  spirits  of  nitre  may  be 
given  in  a  teaspoonful  of  water  every  four  hours,  and 
a  drop  of  tincture  digitalis  twice  a  day. 

49 


50 


LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 


RUPTURE  OF  THE  HEART. 

Rupture  of  the  heart,  or  of  the  large  blood  vessels, 
may  occur,  usually  from  over-exertion  or  fright;  it  is 
most  common  in  fat  or  large  birds.  Of  course  immedi- 
ate death  is  the  result;  therefore  no  treatment  can  be 
given. 


lioyciitn@, 


Rose  Comb  Buff  Orpingtons. 


Co  joy  right  looa 

Chdb.  L  ^  tilP-^. 
—  Cojunibu-SjP. 


Ingle  Comb  Blac^k  Orpingtons. 


CHA5   L    5TILE3 
coLVMOuo.  Ohio 


Mottled  Anconas. 


Single  Comb  Buff  Orpingtons. 


CHAPTER  5. 


Diseases  of  the  Nervous  System. 


Paresis — Cerebral  Congestion  or  Congestion  of  the  Brain- 
Apoplexy— Epilepsy  or  Fits. 


PARESIS. 

PA.RESIS  is  a  partial  or  a  complete  loss  of  use  of 
the  legs.  It  is  a  condition  often  found  in 
hens,  especially  in  pullets  which  are  apparently  in  the 
prime  of  health  and  have  just  begun  laying,  or  are  lay- 
ing well. 

Cause:  Paresis  so  often  occurs  with  hens  or  pullets 
which  are  fed  heavily  with  rich,  stimulating  food  with  the 
view  of  forcing  the  egg  production,  that  there  is  very 
little  doubt  but  that  this  may  be  named  as  a  princi- 
pal cause;  however,  it  may  also  be  due  to  other  causes, 
such  as  pressure  on  the  spinal  cord  from  tumors,  in- 
flammation, etc. 

Symptoms:  The  fowl  will  be  noticed  to  walk  stag- 
geringly for  a  day  or  two  and  will  gradually  •  grow 
worse,  until  there  is  complete  loss  of  the  use    of  the 

51 


52  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

legs,  and  the  bird  will  move  about  by  flapping  its 
wings.  The  appetite  and  general  health  are  usually 
good.  The  condition  often  becomes  so  bad  that  the 
fowl  becomes  utterly  helpless. 

Treatment:  Give  a  physic  of  30  or  40  grains  of 
Epsom  salts  in  a  spoonful  of  warm  water;  follow  this 
by  giving  one  or  two  drops  of  tincture  nux  vomica 
three  or  four  times  a  day.  The  patient  should  be 
placed  by  itself  where  other  fowls  cannot  annoy  it  and 
should  be  fed  light  food,  such  as  vegetables  and  milk. 

CEREBRAL  CONGESTION  OR  CONGESTION 
OF  THE  BRAIN. 

is  an  abnormal  filling  up  of  the  blood  vessels  of  the 
brain  with  blood.  It  is  quite  prevalent  in  fat  or  over- 
fed birds. 

It  may  be  caused  by  exertion,  especially  when  ex- 
posed to  the^  hot  sun.  Cocks  are  supposed  to  be  sub- 
ject to  it  during  breeding  season.  It  may  also  associate 
certain  diseases,  or  it  may  be  the  result  of  an  injury 
to  the  head. 

Symptoms  are  giddiness  and  often  convulsions.  The 
giddiness  is  manifested  by  the  staggering  gait  and, 
perhaps,  by  walking  in  a  circle;  the  head  is  carried 
high  and  thrown  backwards.  Often,  when  caused  by 
the  hot  sun,  there  are  convulsions,  or  the  bird  may 
become  unconscious  for  a  short  time  and  then  begin  to 
flutter. 

Treatment:  Cold  water  should  be  applied  to  the 
head  freely,  until  the  severe  symptoms  pass  off;  the 


DISEASES  OF  THE  NERVOUS  SYSTEM        53 

bird  must  be  placed  in  a  cool,  comfortable,  well-venti- 
lated place,  and  a  physic  of  20  to  40  grains  of  Epsom 
salts  in  a  spoonful  of  water  be  given,  followed  by  two 
or  three  grains  of  bromide  of  potash  three  times  a  day 
as  long  as  necessary. 
The  diet  should  be  light  and  easily  digested. 

APOPLEXY. 

Apoplexy  is  due  to  rupture  of  a  small  blood  vessel  in 
the  brain. 

Causes  are  very  much  the  same  as  in  congestion  of 
the  brain.  The  fowls  are  often  found  dead  on  the 
nest,  when  it  is  supposed  to  be  due  to  hard  straining; 
others  will  drop  dead  during  violent  exertion,  or  will 
drop  dead  from  the  roost. 

Treatment:  The  attack  is  so  sudden  that  treatment 
cannot  be  resorted  to,  but  for  preventive  measures  the 
food  should  be  limited,  and  not  of  a  fat-producing  nat- 
ure, and  the  fat  should  be  reduced  by  compelling  exer- 
cise. Twenty  grains  of  Epsom  salts  should  be  dis 
solved  in  a  little  water  and  mixed  with  soft  feed  twice 
a  week  for  each  fowl. 

EPILEPSY  OR  FITS. 

Epilepsy  or  fits  is  a  condition  characterized  by  a  sud- 
den loss  of  consciousness,  with  convulsions,  fluttering, 
and  jerking.  It  appears  to  be  a  sudden  explosion  of 
nerve  energy,  the  cause  of  which  is  not  well  understood 
but  is  often  due  to  reflex  irritation  from  intestinal 
worms,  or  indigestion  or  it  may  be  due  to  some  abnor- 
mal condition,  or  tumor,  in  the  brain. 


54 


LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 


The  disease  is  not  necessarily  fatal,  but  the  frequent 
attacks  often  make  the  fowl  valueless  and,  unless  the 
bird  is  a  fine  one,  treatment  will  not  pay,  unless  it  is 
known  to  be  due  to  worms.  (See  article  on  worms, 
page  44.) 

Treatment,  when  the  disease  is  not  caused  by 
worms,  should  be  the  same  as  that  for  Congestion  of 
the  Brain. 


Single  Comb  White  Orpingtons. 


CHAPTER  6. 


Diseases  of  the  Kidneys  and  Organs   of 
Reproduction. 


Nephritis,  Inflammation  of  the  Kidneys  — Male  Organs 
and  their  Diseases — Female  Organs,  Their  Anatomy 
and  Physiology — Inflammation  of  the  Oviduct— Pro- 
lapsus of  the  Oviduct — Egg  Bound— Vent  Gleet— Ab- 
normal Eggs— Large  or  Two- Yolk  Eggs — Eggs  with- 
out Shells,  or  with  Soft  Shells  — Blood  within  Eggs — 
Incubation  of  the  Egg  in  the  Hen — Worms  or  Para- 
sites in  Eggs— Eggs  with  Two  Shells— Diseases  of  the 
Ovary. 


NEPHRITIS  OR  INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  KIDNEYS. 

FOWLS,  like  other  animals,  have  kidneys  which 
are  located  near  the  lungs,  along  the  spine.  The 
excretions  or  urates  (which  is  the  white  part  of  the 
droppings)  are  carried  through  the  ureters,  into  the 
cloaca  (the  bird  having  no  bladder)   and  voided  with 

the  faeces. 

65 


56  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

The  kidneys  occasionally  become  inflamed,  which 
disease  is  properly  called  "Nephritis."  The  symp- 
toms, however,  are  not  sufficiently  marked  to  diag- 
nose the  disease  in  time  to  attempt  treatment.  The 
author's  object  in  giving  the  disease  this  passing  no- 
tice is  that  there  may  be  an  occasional  case  found, 
upon  post-mortem  examination. 

MALE   ORGANS   AND   THEIR   DISEASES 

The  genital  organs  of  the  cock  are  two  testicles  and 
the  two  ducts  which  carry  the  semen  to  the  cloaca 
from  which  it  is  deposited  into  the  female  cloaca  dur- 
ing the  act  of  coition. 

Water  fowls,  however,  possess  an  organ  which  pro- 
trudes out  a  few  inches  during  coition,  through  which 
the  semen  is  deposited  in  the  female  cloaca;  this  is 
especially  noticeable  in  the  drake. 

Sometimes  the  testicles  become  inflamed  or  dis- 
eased, which  is  very  seldom  recognized  during  life, 
but  when  the  cock,  during  the  breeding  season,  be- 
comes weak,  rapidly  loses  vigor,  is  inclined  to  sit,  and 
does  not  care  to  associate  with  other  fowls,  some  ab- 
normal condition  of  the  organs  of  reproduction  may  be 
suspected. 

Treatment  would  consist  of  placing  the  patient 
alone  in  a  quiet,  comfortable  coop.  To  an  adult  cock 
give  one-half  teaspoonful  of  Glauber's  salts  dissolved 
in  two  tablespoonfuls  of  water;  follow  by  giving  a 
few  drops  of  sweet  spirits  of  nitre  every  four  hours, 


White  Faced  Black  Spanish, 


Blue  Andalusians. 


White  Crested  Black  Polish. 


Silver  Spangled  Hamburgs. 


DISEASES  OF  ORGANS  OF  REPRODUCTION,     57 

and  one  or  two  drops  of  tincture  nux  vomica  three 
times  a  day.     Feed  green  and  light  food. 

Suppuration  may  take  place,  which  condition  can- 
not be  diagnosed  during  life. 

FEMALE  ORGANS,  THEIR  ANATOMY  AND  PHYSIOLOGY. 

The  female  organs  of  the  fowl  consist  of  the  ovary, 
the  oviduct  and  the  cloaca;  the  cloaca  being  common 
to  the  organs  of  reproduction  and  to  the  digestive 
and  urinary  organs. 

A  brief  description  of  the  anatomy  and  physiology 
of  the  egg  organs  might  be  of  some  interest.  The 
ovary  is  situated  near  the  spine  on  the  left  side;  it 
has  the  appearance  of  a  cluster  of  yellowish  nodules, 
and  one  by  one,  these  nodules  grow  larger  and  become 
more  yellow  and  finally  the  delicate  membrane  (Calyx) 
surrounding  each  ruptures  and  allows  the  nodule,  which 
is  called  vitellus,  to  escape  into  the  dilated  portion  of 
the  oviduct,  called  the  infundibulum,  where  it  forms 
the  yolk  of  the  egg.  The  yolk  is  surrounded  by  a 
very  delicate  membrane  called  the  vitelline  mem- 
brane. Fertilization  occurs  soon  after  this  body 
leaves  the  ovary  and  enters  the  oviduct.  As  it  passes 
on  down,  it  stimulates  the  walls  of  the  oviduct,  from 
which  the  albumen  or  white  of  the  egg  is  secreted, 
and  deposited  on  the  yolk;  the  egg  now  passes  on 
through  the  oviduct,  with  the  small  end  downward; 
it  reaches  another  dilated  portion  called  the  uterine 
or   shell-forming    part,    where    the    limy    substance 


58  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

which  forms  the  shell  is  secreted.  The  time  required 
for  the  egg  to  pass  from  the  ovary  to  the  uterus,  or 
the  part  where  the  shell  is  formed,  is  about  six  hours, 
and  from  twelve  to  twenty-four  hours  to  complete 
the  whole  journey,  from  the  time  it  leaves  the 
ovary  until  it  is  laid. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  OVIDUCT. 

The  oviduct,  as  previously  explained,  is  not  only  the 
channel  through  which  the  egg  passes  from  the  ovary 
to  the  cloaca,  but  a  great  part  of  the  egg  is  formed 
by  passing  through  it. 

This  organ,  in  order  to  perform  its  delicate  func- 
tion? must  necessarily  be  well  supplied  with  blood 
vessels;  therefore,  it  is  quite  subject  to  inflammation. 

Causes:  One  of  the  most  frequent  causes  is  over- 
feeding with  rich,  stimulating  foods,  causing  very 
frequent  laying,  and  hence  drawing  large  quantities 
of  blood  to  these  highly  vas2ular  parts.  Other  causfes 
are  such  as  an  abnormally  large  egg  becoming  lodged 
in  the  duct,  or  the  breaking  of  an  egg  in  the  duct, 
which  may  be  caused  by  some  injury. 

Symptoms:  Eggs  stained  with  blood  are  a  symp- 
tom of  slight  congestion  or  inflammation.  If  the  seat 
of  inflammation  is  in  the  uterus,  or  portion  where  the 
shell  is  formed,  eggs  without  shells  are  laid.  Im- 
perfect, small  eggs,  or  yolks  without  the  white,  or 
e^ffs  whjQh  contain  no  y«4k.  are  an  indioatipn  of  in* 


DISEASES  OF  ORGANS  OF  REPRODUCTION.     59 

The  hen  will  strain,  and  show  symptoms  of  laying, 
without  depositing  an  egg;  as  the  inflammation 
advances  there  will  be  fever;  the  bird  will  become 
weak  and  dull;  the  comb  will  turn  pale;  there  will  be 
loss  of  appetite  and  death  will  finally  result. 

Tkeatmemt,  unless  attempted  early,  is  not  success- 
ful. In  those  cases  that  can  be  treated  in  time,  give 
twenty  to  forty  grains  of  Epsom  salts  in  a  spoonful  of 
water;  follow  by  giving  five  to  ten  drops  of  fluid  ex- 
tract of  viburnum  prunifolium  and  a  few  grains  of 
saltpetre,  two  or  three  times  a  day.  The  food  must 
be  light,  and  meat,  pepper,  ginger  and  such  stimu- 
lants must  be  avoided. 

PROLAPSUS    OF  THE    OVIDUCT. 

This  is  a  condition  in  which  the  oviduct  partially  or 
completely  drops  down  into  the  cloaca,  or  it  may  even 
protrude  from  the  vent. 

Causes:  The  trouble  is  mostly  found  in  old  hens 
that  have  been  great  layers  and  in  which  the  walls  of 
the  cloaca  have  become  distended  and  flabby,  or  it 
may  result  from  continued  straining,  or  from  consti- 
pation, inflammation  of  the  oviduct,  or  from  constant 
laying  of  very  large  eggs. 

Symptoms:  In  partial  prolapsus  there  is  a  red 
tumor-like  appearance  just  inside  of  the  cloaca,  while 
in  complete  prolapsus  a  dark  red  colored  mass  pro- 
trudes from  the  vent.  When  the  parts  are  thus  expos- 
ed, inflammiatmn  beeoma^  VHy  int^mn  mid  {^angren^ 

m&y  SQt  IB,  whiQh  mQn  ?ss«Hs  in  death, 


60  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

Treatmenf  should  be  as  prompt  as  possible.  As 
soon  as  the  first  symptoms  are  noticed,  take  a  pint  of 
warm  water  to  which  add  five  drops  of  carbolic  acid, 
and  thoroughly  cleanse  the  parts;  then  with  oiled  fin- 
gers, carefully  replace  the  mass.  Sometimes  when 
the  tumor  is  very  large  and  painful,  holding  the  vent 
in  a  pan  of  v/arm  water,  to  which  the  above  propor- 
tion of  carbolic  acid  has  been  added,  has  good  effects. 

If  there  is  much  straining,  a  few  grains  of  chloral 
hydrate,  or  a  few  drops  of  tincture  opium,  may  be 
given  in  a  teaspoonful  of  water,  every  few  hours. 

Place  the  hen  alone  and  after  there  is  no  more 
straining  give  two  drops  tincture  nux  vomica  in  the 
food,  twice  a  day;  feed  light  food,  such  as  boiled  vege- 
tables, milk,  etc. 

EGG  BOUND. 

Egg  bound  is  the  lodging  of  an  egg  in  the  oviduct. 

Causes;  It  may  be  due  to  irritation  of  the  lower 
portion  of  the  oviduct  causing  dryness  of  the  mucous 
membrane.  Fowls  being  very  fat  is  a  condition  that 
may  produce  such  irritation. 

Constipation  of  the  bowels  may  sometimes  obstruct 
the  cloaca  by  filling  it  with  fecal  matter. 

Symptoms  somewhat  resemble  those  of  inflamma- 
tion of  the  oviduct,  as  the  two  conditions  may  some- 
times be  associated.  The  hen  will  go  to  the  nest  fre- 
quently and  make  efforts  to  lay.  The  most  reliable 
symptom  is  feeling  the  egg  with  the  finger,  in  the 
vent  or  cloaca. 


DISEASES  OF  ORGANS  OF  REPRODUCTION.    61 

Treatment:  The  cloaca  should  be  cleared  of  all 
fecal  matter.  If  it  is  full  of  a  hard  mass  this  must  be 
softened  with  warm  water;  then,  if  the  egg  has  not 
been  retained  too  long,  lubricating  the  parts  by  inject- 
ing a  little  olive  oil  is  sufficient  treatment.  In  more 
obstinate  cases  good  results  are  often  obtained  by  hold- 
ing the  fowl  with  the  vent  in  a  pan  of  warm  water  for 
twenty  or  thirty  minutes.  Where  all  other  measures 
fail,  the  egg  should  be  punctured,  the  pieces  carefully 
removed  and  the  patient  fed  sparmgly  for  a  few  days. 

VENT  GLEET. 

Vent  Gleet  or  Cloacitis  is  a  catarrhal  affection  of  the 
mucous  membrane  lining  of  the  vent  and  cloaca  and  in 
very  bad  cases  the  inflammation  may  extend  to  the  ovi- 
duct or  bowel. 

Cause:  It  is  due  to  germs  and  is  therefore  conta- 
gious; the  disease  is  usually  communicated  from  one 
hen  to  the  other,  by  the  male,  during  coition. 

Symptoms:  The  first  symptoms  noticeable  are 
straining,  and  frequent  attempts  to  evacuate  the 
bowels,  but,  since  these  symptoms  are  also  common  to 
other  diseases,  further  investigation  should  be  made. 

In  vent  gleet  the  disease  spreads  rapidly  through  the 
flock.  The  mucous  membranes  will  be  found  hot,  red, 
and  swollen,  and  in  a  few  days  a  discharge  will  take 
place  which  irritates  the  parts  and  soils  the  feathers 
about  the  vent,  annoying  the  bird  so  that  it  will  be 
seen  picking  the  parts. 

Treatment:     The  part*  must   first   be  thoroughly 

cleansed,   by  bathing  carefully  with  warm  water,  in 


62  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

which  two  or  three  drams  of  either  borax  or  boracic 
acid  have  been  dissolved  in  a  pint  of  water.  After 
cleansing  thoroughly,  dry  by  wiping  with  soft  cloths; 
then,  twice  a  day  apply  an  ointment  made  by  mixing 
one  dram  of  boracic  acid  with  one  ounce  of  vaseline, 
or,  instead  of  this,  apply  oxide  of  zinc  ointment. 

ABNORMAL   EGGS. 

Under  this  subject  we  will  explain  a  few  of  the  com- 
mon abnormalities  of  eggs,  such  as  small,  deformed, 
and  very  large  eggs,  etc.  Many  years  ago  a  supersti- 
tious idea  prevailed  that  such  eggs,  especially  the 
very  small  ones,  were  a  bad  omen,  and  they  excited 
much  curiosity.  Some  even  entertained  the  idea  that 
such  eggs  should  be  thrown  over  a  building  to  over- 
come the  bad  foreboding. 

SMALL,    OR   INCOMPLETE   EGGS. 

These  are  usually  no  larger  than  a  pigeon  egg  and 
contain  very  little,  or  no  yolk. 

These  are  caused  by  irritation  of  the  pa^t  of  the  ovi- 
duct where  the  albumen  is  secreted,  an  oVer  amount 
being  thrown  out  and  then  passing  down  into  the 
uterine  portion  of  the  oviduct;  a  shell  is  formed  around 
it,  and  the  small  egg  is  the  result. 

LARGE  OR  TWO  YOLK  EGGS. 

These  are  caused  by  two  yolks  entering  the  oviduct 

from  the  ovary  at  the  same  time;  therefore,  albumen 

and   shell    are   formed  around  both.     When  such  are 

hatched,   double  or  imperfect  chicks  are  the  result. 

Some  hengj  for  some  inexplicable  reason,  are  in  th« 
hftbit  g|  laying  doubi©  eggs, 


ty^vVAOER, 


Cornish  Indian  Games. 


Bl&fek  P^^fe&stt-»1  CiHftlfei, 


wfe 


J '' 


Toulouse  Geese, 


.,^*_^^_=^ll      ||       ||jl 


Embden  Geese. 


DISEASES  OP  ORGANS  OP  REPRODUCTION.    63 

EGGS  WITHOUT  SHELLS,    OR  WITH  SOFT   SHELLS. 

As  Stated  in  the  article  on  Physiology  of  the  Egg 
Organs,  the  shall  is  formed  in  the  uterine  or  dilated 
lower  portion  of  the  oviduct.  Any  irritation,  or  inter- 
ference with  the  functions,  of  this  part  may  cause  it 
to  cease  secreting  shell-forming  material;  hens  being 
very  fat  is  a  common  cause.  Soft  shells  may,  also,  be 
the  result  of  not  providing  the  hens  with  sufficient 
lime  or  oyster  shells. 

BLOOD  WITHIN   EGGS. 

Blood  spots  are  occasionally  found  in  eggs.  This  is 
the  result  of  a  slight  hemorrhage  from  a  small  rup- 
tured blood  vessel  in  the  oviduct  or  ovary.  If  the  spot 
is  on  the  yolk  it  would  indicate  that  the  hemorrhage 
occurred  in  the  oviduct;  if  it  is  on  the  white  the  hem- 
orrhage occurred  farther  down  the  duct.  The  condition 
indicates  great  activity  of  the  egg  organs,  which  may 
be  the  result  of  over  feeding  or  of  feeding  stimulants; 
therefore,  light  food  should  be  fed  for  a  while,  and 
meat  and  stimulants  with-held. 

INCUBATION  OF  THE  EGG  IN  THE  HEN. 

Occasionally  eggs  remain  in  the  oviduct,  possibly  as 
the  result  of  egg-bound,  long  enough  to  hatch. 

WORMS  OR  PARASITES  IN  EGGS. 

Worms  or  parasites,  such  as  intestinal  worms,  are 
occasionally  found  within  eggs.  They  are  supposed  to 
pass  from  the  bowels  into  the  cloaca  and  then  find 
their  way  into  the  oviduct  and  become  incased  in  the 

egg. 


64  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR, 

Eggs  with  two  Shells. 

Occasionally  small,  imperfect  eggs  are  forced  up- 
ward into  the  oviduct  instead  of  being  expelled,  and 
there  become  surrounded  with  another  layer  of  albu- 
men and,  finally,  another  shell. 

The  cause  is  the  same  as  that  of  small  eggs,  and 
would  indicate  that  the  hen  is  overstimulated,  or  com- 
pelled to  work  harder  than  the  egg  organs  can  endure; 
consequently  she  should  be  fed  light  food,  as  bran  and 
vegetables,  and  should  be  given  rest. 

A  very  good  remedy  for  any  of  these  abnormal  con- 
ditions of  the  egg  is  to  give  the  hen  a  few  drops  of 
tincture  of  corn-smut  once  or  twice  a  day  for  a  few 
days;  or  ten  drops  may  be  added  to  each  pint  of  drink- 
ing water,  once  a  day  for  a  few  days. 

DISEASES  OF  THE   OVARY. 

The  ovary  of  the  fowl  occasionally  becomes  diseased; 
it  may  become  inflamed,  which  may  terminate  in  gan- 
grene. In  other  cases,  tumprs  of  considerable  size 
may  grow  on  the  ovary,  some  of  which  may  be  of  a 
cancerous  nature. 

Dr.  Salmon  in  "Diseases  of  Poultry"  likens  these 
ovarian  tumors  to  the  yellow  of  a  boiled  egg. 

Treatment  is  impossible,  as  the  disease  is  never  di- 
agnosed while  the  fowl  is  alive,  but  is  revealed  only 
by  post-mortem  examination. 


CHAPTER  7. 


Diseases  Affecting  Various  Organs. 


Ergot  Poison  — Anaemia  or  Impoverished  Blood — Tuber- 
culosis—Bagging Down— Emphysema  or  Wind  Puff- 
Rheumatism— Leg  Weakness  — Cramps  in  Young 
Fowls— Rickets  in  Young  Chicks— Dropsy  of  the  Feet. 


ERGOT  POISON. 

ERGOT  is  a  smut  or  mold  found  on  grain,  espec- 
ially new,  partially  spoiled  grain.  Fowls  roving 
on  grain-fields  after  harvest,  during  wet  seasons,  are 
very  subject  to  ergot  poisoning,  but  it  may  also  be  pro- 
duced by  feeding  grain  which  contains  smut.  , 

Symptoms:  Usually  there  is  at  first  diarrhoea,  fol- 
lowed by  dizziness  and  paralysis  or  spasms,  which  may 
be  followed  by  gangrene  of  the  comb,  beak,  or  feet 
and  toes,  which  is  characterized  by  these  parts  becom- 
ing dry  and  dead  and  finally  dropping  off.  In  chronic 
or  slow  ergot  poison  the  gangrene  may  come  on  with- 
out any  previous  symptoms,  as  diarrhoea,  etc. 

Treatment:  The  cause  must  be  removed  at  once, 
which,  in  mild  cases,  is  suflficient.    If  the  diarrhoea  con- 

65 


ee  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

tinues,  give  a  few  drops  of  tincture  opium  several 
times  a  day.  When  gangrene  has  started,  the  parts 
that  are  dead  should  be  removed  and  the  wound  washed 
once  or  twice  a  day  with  a  solution  of  Goulard's 
extract,  two  teaspoonfuls  to  one-half  pint  of  water. 

ANAEMIA  OR  IMPOVERISHED  BLOOD. 

This  is  a  deficiency  of  some  of  the  constituents  of 
the  blood. 

Causes  are  those  conditions  that  tend  to  reduce  the 
vitality  of  the  fowl,  of  which  there  are  many,  such  as 
improper  food,  deficiency  of  food,  exposure,  indigestion, 
worms,  lice,  etc. 

-Symptoms  are  paleness  of  the  comb,  wattles,  and 
mucous  membranes  of  the  mouth  and  eyes,  and  gen- 
eral weakness;  the  fowl  is  easily  exhausted,  but  the 
appetite  may  remain  good. 

Treatment:  Seek  the  cause  and  remove  it;  feed  a 
liberal  supply  of  good  clean  nutritious  food;  allow 
plenty  of  sunlight,  and  give  each  fowl  a  few  drops  of 
tincture  of  iron  and  five  drops  of  tincture  quassia  in 
a  teaspoonful  of  water  twice  a  day,  or  add  the  proper 
amount  to  the  drinking  water. 

tuberculosis. 

Domestic  fowls  and  birds  as  well  as  other  animals 
are  subject  to  this  disease.  It  is  quite  prevalent  in 
some  flocks  and,  when  once  affected,  there  is  no  suc- 
cessful method  of  eradicating  the  disease,  except  by 
destroying  diseased  fowls. 


DISEASES  AFFECTING  VARIOUS  ORGANS.    67 

Cause:  Tuberculosis  is  due  to  germs  (the  tubercu- 
lar bacilli). 

Symptoms:  The  symptoms  of  tuberculosis  in  fowls 
are,  for  the  most  part,  common  to  other  diseases,  and 
the  only  method  of  making  a  positive  diagnosis  is  by 
microscopical  examination  of  suspected  growths  or 
nodules;  if  the  bacillus  tuberculosis  is  found,  the 
nature  of  the  disease  can  no  longer  be  doubted. 

Fowls  afflicted  with  tuberculosis  show  unthriftiness, 
emaciation  and  rough  plumage.  Nodules  often  appear 
on  the  face,  about  the  eyes,  or  the  joints  of  the  legs  or 
wings  show  swellings  or  small  tumors  which  break 
down  and  ulcerate.  Post-mortem  examination  shows 
white  or  grey  tubercular  deposits  in  the  walls  of  the 
intestines,  lungs  and  liver.  These  deposits  vary  from 
the  size  of  a  millet  seed  to  that  of  a  pea,  and  may  be 
hard  and  lime-like,  or  soft  and  cheesy,  or  may  even 
contain  small  quantities  of  pus. 

In  house  parrots  the  external  manifestations  of  dis- 
ease is  quite  common;  horny  growths  appear  on  the 
face,  about  the  eyes,  or  on  the  bill;  the  wings  and  toes 
often  present  nodules  that  are  characteristic.  The 
tuberculosis  of  fowls  is  not  easily  communicated  to 
mammals,  but  that  of  parrots  seems  to  be  identical 
with  tuberculosis  affecting  man,  and  is  believed  to  be 
capable  of  being  transmitted  to  the  latter. 

Treatment:  Since  the  disease  can  be  transmitted 
from  one  fowl  to  another,  by  close  association,  and 
since  no  cure  is  possible,  all  affected  birds  should  be 


QQ  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

destroyed,  and  the  runs  and  poultry  houses  thoroughly 
disinfected  and  kept  clean  and  dry,  with  plenty  of  sun- 
light, for  several  months.  Where  this  is  done  new 
fowls  can  be  admitted  at  the  end  of  six  or  eight  months 
with  a  fair  assurance  that  the  new  stock  will  remain 
healthy. 

BAGGING    DOWN. 

This  is  a  condition  that  is  seen  mostly  in  old  hens  as 
the  result  of  their  being  too  fat.  The  only  treatment 
is  short  rations  of  light  food,  which  encourages  exer- 
cise. Such  hens  are  fit  for  table  use,  as  this  is  not  a 
disease. 

EMPHYSEMA  OR  WIND   PUFF. 

This  is  a  peculiar  condition  that  affects  young  chicks 
and  is  characterized  by  the  collecting  of  air  or  gas  un- 
der the  skin,  making  them  appear  like  a  ball  full  of 
wind. 

Causes:  It  may  result  from  an  injury,  or  from  eat- 
ing certain  decomposed  or  fermented  food;  chicks  eat- 
ing starch  has  been  known  to  cause  it. 

When  due  to  an  injury,  such  as  the  chick  being 
trampled  by  the  mother,  or  by  large  fowls,  the  air  is 
supposed  to  escape  from  the  lungs,  through  the  air 
sacks  and  hollow  bones,  and  to  collect  under  the  skin. 

Treatment:  See  that  they  eat  no  soured  food,  and 
allow  only  a  small  quantity  of  good,  clean  food.  Add 
five  drops  of  carbolic  acid  to  two  tablespoonfuls  of 
water  and  give  one-fourth  teaspoonful  every  two 
hours;  also,  mix  charcoal  T/iui  tlie  xsei. 


Bronze  Turkeys. 


'z^^  ^  S-  . 


White  Holland  Turkeys, 


¥mhr.w 


Golden  Seabright 
Bantams. 


Black  Breasted  Red 
Game  Bantams. 


Buff  Cochin  Bantams. 


f„ 


Wimm.^. 


^5^  A— 


.>r!^5 


'  j=^«^ 


CSsJ*^^i4^ 


White  Cochin  Bantams. 


DISEASES  AFFECTING  VARIOUS  ORGANS.    69 

Open  the  skin  with  a  needle  or  small  shears,  to  allow 
the  escape  of  gas. 

RHEUMATISM. 

Acute  rheumatism  is  a  constitutional  disease,  excited 
by  dampness  and  cold. 

Symptoms:  There  may  be  some  fever;  bowels  are 
usually  constipated;  there  is  pain  shown  by  spasmodic 
jerking  of  the  legs,  and  often  the  fowl  is  unable  to 
walk;  some  of  the  joints  are  swollen  and,  usually,  the 
swelling  and  pain  shift  from  one  joint  to  another;  this 
is  one  of  the  most  reliable  symptoms.  In  severe  cases 
the  enlarged  joints  will  ulcerate,  or  become  hard. 

Treatment:  Remove  the  cause  by  placing  the  bird 
in  a  warm,  dry  room;  give  twenty  grains  of  Epsom 
salts  in  a  tablespoonful  of  warm  water;  follow  in  a 
few  hours  by  giving  one  grain  of  quinine  and  two 
grains  of  salicylate  of  soda,  four  times  a  day. 

Apply  equal  parts  of  oil  of  wintergreen  and  soap 
liniment  to  the  swollen  joints  once  or  twice  a  day. 

LEG    WEAKNESS. 

The  trouble  among  fowls  which  is  known  as  leg 
weakness  is  only  a  symptom  of  som3  other  condition, 
but,  because  it  is  such  a  familiar  term  and  occurs  so 
frequently,  it  is  necessary  to  give  it  space. 

Causes:  In  young  chicks  it  may  be  due  to  confine- 
ment on  board  floors  or  in  damp  coops,  or  it  may  be 
the  result  of  improperly  heated  brooders,  bottom  heat 
being  especially  bad. 


70  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

In  adult  fowls  the  heavier  breeds  seem  to  be  most 
subject,— especially  the  males,— but  by  no  means  can 
it  always  be  attributed  to  any  of  the  above  named 
causes,  because  in  some  cases  it  may  be  due  to  over- 
feeding or  to  rheumatism,  while  in  other  cases  the 
cause  is  obscure. 

Leg  weakness  is  quite  prevalent  in  ducks,  and  is 
caused,  in  most  cases,  by  feeding  too  much  of  such  food 
as  corn,  buckwheat,  etc.,  or,  in  the  young,  by  allowing 
free  access  to  cold  water,  or  by  over-crowding. 

Symptoms  are,  as  the  name  would  imply,  weakness, 
lameness,  disinclination  to  move;  the  appetite  is  usu- 
ally good,  and  the  bird  will  usually  eat  all  the  food 
within  reach,  then  move  a  few  steps,  and  again  sit 
down  and  eat. 

Treatment  :  If  any  of  the  above  named  causes  exist, 
remove  them  at  once;  also  examine  their  feet,  and,  if 
anything  should  be  found,  treat  as  directed  under  the 
existing  condition.  Feed  such  food  as  bran,  rice,  green 
food,  milk,  etc. 

Give  an  adult  fowl  one  or  two  drops  of  tincture  nux 
vomica  and  a  few  grains  of  salicylate  of  soda  three 
times  a  day.  To  the  young  give  smaller  doses  accord- 
ing to  age. 

The  patient  should  be  put  in  a  dry  comfortable  place 

where  it  is  not  annoyed  by  other  fowls. 

CRAMPS  IN  YOUNG  FOWLS. 

Young  fowls  occasionally  become  crampy,  which  is 
characterized  by  the  It>ga  drawing  up  6F  Champing 
t^g^th^l*  vi  th«  l^gl  m\i  tQg@i 


DISEASES  AFFECTING  VARIOUS  ORGANS.    71 

Causes:  It  is  quite  frequently  caused  by  feeding  too 
highly  concentrated  food  and  too  much  of  it.  In  young 
ducklings  or  goslings  it  may  be  due  to  an  error  in  feed- 
ing, or  to  allowing  them  to  get  into  cold  water  when 
quite  young. 

In  brooder  chicks  it  can  sometimes  be  attributed  to 
keeping  the  brooder  quite  warm,  then  allowing  the 
chicks  to  run  out  on  the  cold,  damp  ground  or  floor. 

Treatment:  The  cause  must  be  first  sought,  and 
removed,  if  possible.  If  it  is  due  to  feeding  too  highly 
concentrated  food  change  the  diet  and  feed  less;  plenty 
of  green  food  and  some  beef  scraps  should  be  fed. 

If  it  is  due  to  allowing  water  fowls  to  get  into  cold 

water,  remove  this  cause;  if  due   to  over-heating  the 

brooder,  or  to  chicks  becoming  chilled,   this  must  be 
remedied. 

For  medicinal  treatment,   add  ten  drops  of  tincture 

belladonna  and  ten  grains  of  salicylate  of  soda  to  two 

ounces  of  water  and  give  each  chick  one-half  teaspoon- 

ful  three  times  a  day,  and  keep  them  in  a  warm,  dry, 

comfortable  place. 

RICKETS  IN  YOUNG  CHICKS. 

Rickets  is  a  constitutional  disease,  usually  associated 
with  derangement  of  digestion,  nutrition  dnd  assimila- 
tion. It  is  not  as  frequently  met  with  in  young  chicks 
as  in  other  animals;   however,  it  is  occasionally  seen. 

It  is  really  a  deficiency  of  earthy  material  in  the  bony 
tissue. 

Symptoms  are  the  loss  of  the  use  of  the  legs;  the 

%(m  Will  dt'uw  tft^feithef  ita  \n  ertimp^i  but  thu  \m^% 


72  LEAMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

prominent  are  softening  of  the  bones,  which  is  shown 
by  the  legs  becoming  crooked,  the  beak  appearing  soft 
and  often  turning  sideways;  either  the  lower  or  upper 
beak,  more  commonly  the  lower,  may  become  enlarged 
and  drawn  out  of  shape  so  that  the  chick  will  not  be  able 
to  pick  food. 

Causes:  This  trouble  can  usually  be  attributed  to 
improper  feeding,  bringing  on  digestive  disorder,  or  to 
feeding  food  that  does  not  supply  the  proper  nourish- 
ment. It  is  also  quite  frequently  found  among  chicks 
that  are  kept  indoors  exclusively,  and  do  not  have 
access  to  any  food  containing  lime  or  earthy  material. 

Treatment:  Give  the  chicks  good  hygienic  sur- 
roundings; feed  a  variety  of  good  food;  and  mix  a  tea- 
spoonful  of  phosphate  of  lime  in  soft  feed  once  a  day 
for  every  thirty  chicks;  give  lime  water  to  drink, 
once  a  day,  to  which  add  sufficient  tincture  gentian  so 
that  each  chick  will  get  several  drops. 

DROPSY  OF  THE  FEET. 

Occasionally  we  find  a  condition  where  the  feet  seem 
to  swell  as  in  dropsy. 

Causes:  It  can  usually  be  attributed  to  over-feed- 
ing and  insufficient  exercise. 

Treatment:  Remove  the  cause  and  feed  light  food, 
such  as  bran  mash  and  give  the  fowl  a  drop  or  two  of 
tincture  digitalis  and  a  few  grains  of  acetate  of  potash 
three  times  a  day. 


CHAPTER  8. 


Diseases  Pertaining  to  Surgery. 


Wounds    and    Bruises— Abscesses — Corns    and    Bumble 
Foot — Broken  Bones— Frost  Bites. 


WOUNDS  AND  BRUISES. 

WOUNDS  and  bruises  are  not  inflicted  upon 
fowls  as  frequently  as  upon  other  domestic 
animals,  but  do  occasionally  occur.  ' 

Treatment:  Stitching  of  a  v/ound  in  a  bird  is 
seldom  necessary,  except  when  large  pieces  of  skin 
are  torn  loose.  In  such  cases  wash  the  wound  with 
warm  water  to  which  one-half  teaspoonful  of  carbolic 
acid  has  been  added  to  a  pint  of  water  used;  remove 
all  particles  of  dirt  and  feathers;  then  stitch  the  edges 
of  the  skin  together  nicely,  with  ordinary  white  thread, 
if  surgeon's  silk  is  not  at  hand.  If  boracic  acid  or  so- 
da is  at  hand,  a  little  may  be  dusted  on  the  raw  surface 
before  stitching. 

Slight  wounds  will  heal  very  rapidly  and  seldom  need 
any  treatment;  if  any  is  attempted,  washing  with  the 
carbolic  acid  water,  and  then  keeping  boracic  acid 
or  soda  dusted  on,  is  sufficient. 

73 


74  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

Bruises,  where  there  is  no  abrasion  of  the  skin,  are 
best  treated  by  the  application  of  hot  fomentations,  as 
hot  water,  or  hot  bran  or  salt  held  on  in  small  sacks. 

ABSCESSES. 

Abscesses  consist  of  the  accumulation  of  pus  within 
circumscribed  walls,  and  may  be  located  in  different 
parts  of  the  body. 

Causes:  Deep-seated  bruises  are  the  most  frequent 
causes,  but  inflammation,  and  consequent  suppuration, 
or  abscesFcs  of  certain  glands,  are  sometimes  the 
result  of  infectious  diseases. 

Symptoms:  The  first  is  a  hot,  painful  swelling  in 
which  pus  soon  forms,  which  is  manifested  by  the 
center  becoming  soft. 

Treatment:  As  soon  as  the  soft  place  can  be  felt, 
it  should  be  cut  open  and  washed  out  with  carbolic  acid 
water  as  often  as  necessary. 

CORNS  AND  bumble  FOOT. 

Corns  are  bruises  on  the  under  surface  of  the  feet. 

Causes:  Alighting  from  high  roosts  or  being  con- 
tinually confined  on  hard  floors  are  the  most  frequent 
causes,  especially  with  the  heavy  breeds.  Another 
cause  is  narrow  perches,  which  it  is  necessary  for  the 
bird  to  grasp  tightly  all  night  in  order  to  keep  its 
position. 

Symptoms:  There  is  lameness,  thickening  of  the 
skin  on  the  bottom  of  the  fo»t,  and,  frequently,  swel- 
ling, with  great  pain,  followed  by  the  formation  of  pus, 
when  it  is  termed 


mi 


.vE^fH 


Japanese  Black  Tailed 
Bantams. 


Fantail  Pigeon. 


Pouter  Pigeon. 


Homing  Pigeon. 


^*^«:^- 


Tumbler  Pigeon. 


DISEASES  PERTAINING  TO  SURGERY.       75 

BUMBLE  FOOT. 

In   this   stage   the   swelling   will   often    extend  up 
between  the  toes,  and  walking  becomes  very  puinful. 

Treatment:  When  there  is  only  a  simple  corn  or  a 
hard,  thickened  skin  on  the  bottom  of  the  foot,  this 
should  be  pared  off  and  tincture  iodine  applied  several 
times;  but  where  there  is  a  painful,  deep-seated  abscess, 
which  would  be  "bumble  foot,"  it  should  be  poulticed 
v;ith  scalded  bran  or  flaxseed  until  the  inflammation 
and  soreness  are  relieved,  or  until  it  appears  soft, 
which  would  indicate  pus,  when  it  should  be  opened 
with  a  sharp  knife  and  the  pus  and  core  removed,  and 
the  wound  filled  with  boracic  acid  and  alum,  in  equal 
parts. 

By  following  this  treatment  and  keeping  the  bird  on 
a  clean,  dry,  soft  floor  for  a  few  days,  a  good  recovery 
will  usually  be  the  result,  if  the  cause  has  been 
removed. 

BROKEN  BONES. 

Fractured  bones  frequently  occur  in  fowls,  and,  if 
the  fracture  is  located  so  that  it  can  be  bandaged,  un- 
ion will  take  place  very  readily. 

Treatment:  Carefully  straighten  the  broken  bone 
and  get  it  as  near  the  natural  position  as  possible; 
then  cover  evenly  with  a  thin  layer  of  cotton;  over 
this,  lay  splints  of  heavy,  moistened  paste-board;  then 
wrap  evenly  with  a  narrow  strip  (about  one  inch)  of 
muslin.  Plenty  of  bandage  should  be  applied,  and 
it  should  extend  well  past  the  fracture  in  both  direc- 


76  LEHMAN'S^  POULTRY  DOCl^OR. 

tions,  and  should  be  tight  enough  to  keep  the  bones 
together  well,  but  not  so  tight  that  it  will  interfere 
with  circulation.  Place  the  patient  in  a  comfortable 
coop,  away  from  the  other  fowls. 

FROST  BITES. 

Frozen  combs,  wattles  and  toes  are  very  common  in 
our  Northern  climate. 

Treatment:  The  best  treatment,  which  is  almost 
useless  to  mention,  is  avoiding  the  cause;  that  is,  pro- 
viding a  sufficiently  warm  house,  but  this  cannot  al- 
ways be  done. 

When  the  parts  are  only  slightly  frozen,  and  if  no- 
ticed soon,  they  should  be  bathed  or  immersed  in  cold 
water  just  drawn  from  the  v^ell  or  spring.  Heat 
should  by  no  means  be  applied,  neither  by  bathing 
with  warm  water,  nor  by  taking  the  bird  near  a  warm 
stove;  a  cool  cellar  is  better. 

After  the  frost  is  taken  out  by  using  the  cold  water, 
apply  of  a  mixture  of  Ichthyol  one  part,  and  Glycerite 
of  tannic  acid,  three  parts,  once  or  twice  a  day;  or,  if 
this  cannot  be  had,  turpentine,  one  part,  mixed  with 
six  parts  vaseline,  is  also  good. 

When  the  parts  are  severely  frosted,  or  when  the 
frost  is  allowed  to  come  out  of  its  own  accord,  there  is 
danger  of  the  frozen  parts  dying  and  falling  off,  and 
no  treatment  will  prevent  this.  When  the  wattles  be- 
come puffed  and  filled  with  a  watery  substance,  they 
should  be  cut  off  immediately  as  far  as  frosted,  which 

will  give  great  relief,  and  healing  will  take  place  rap- 
idly. 


CHAPTER  9. 


Diseases  Affecting  the  Skin. 


Chicken-pox— Favus  — Mange  or  Depluming— Scaly  Legs ^ 
Lice,  Mites,  Etc.— Where  do  Lice  Come  From? 


CHICKEN-POX. 

CHICKEN-POX,  sometimes  called  sore-head,  af- 
fects all  domestic  fowls. 
Causes:  This  disease  is  supposed  to  be  due  to  a 
micro-organism  and  is  therefore  contagious.  Filthy, 
wet  poultry-houses  greatly  favor  its  development. 
.  Symptoms:  The  disease  affects  the  head  mostly; 
usually  the  eyes  and  about  the  beak,  comb  and  wattles; 
it  is  characterized  by  the  formation  of  yellowish-gray, 
warty-appearing  nodules,  from  the  size  of  a  mustard 
seed  to  that  of  a  grain  of  corn.  Sometimes,  the  eyes 
are  covered  with  nodules  so  as  to  cause  blindness. 

The  general  health  is  usually  not  much  affected  at 
first  and  in  some  cases  the  nodules  will  dry  off  and  the" 
fowl  will  recover  rapidly,  while  in  others  they  will 
gradually  grow  worse  and  finally  die. 

Treatment:  Affected  birds  should  be  removed  from 
the  flock  and  the  necessary  sanitary  precautions  taken. 

77 


78  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

Give  the  sick  fowl  a  few  grains  each  of  sulphur  and 
cream  of  tartar  three  times  a  day  and  apply  either 
oxide  of  zinc  ointment  or  equal  parts  of  Glycerite  of 
tannic  acid  and  compound  tincture  of  Benzoin  to  the 
nodul«s  twice  a  day. 

FAVUS. 

Favus,  sometimes  called  "baldness"  or  white  comb, 
is  a  parasitic  disease,  similar  to  ring  worm,  affecting 
principally  the  comb  and  wattles,  but  which  may 
spread  to  any  part  of  the  body.  The  disease  is  conta- 
gious because  of  the  parasite  or  fungus,  "Achorion 
Schonleinii, "  being  easily  communicated  from  one  bird 
to  another. 

Symptoms:  The  principal  symptoms  are  the  dirty, 
white,  powdery  crusts  of  a  m.ousy  odor,  forming  on  the 
comb  and  wattles,  and  in  a  few  weeks  spreading  over 
the  head  and  neck  and,  if  unchecked,  to  other  parts  of 
the  body.  Finally,  the  feathers  will  become  affected 
and  drop  out  or  break  off  and,  if  let  go,  the  bird's  gen- 
eral health,  which  is  at  first  unaffected,  becomes 
affected  and  there  will  be  weakness,  loss  of  appetite, 
loss  of  flesh,  diarrhoea  and  finally  death. 

Treatment:  The  well  and  afflicted  fowls  must  be 
separated,  the  roosts  and  walls  disinfected  by  scalding 
or  whitewashing,  and  air-slacked  lime  sprinkled  over 
the  floor. 

Then,  take  the  afflicted  bird  and  carefully  scrape  the 
scabby  accumulation  from  the  affected  parts  and  apply 
one  of  the  following  parasiticides: 


DISEASES  AFFECTING  THE  SKIN.  ,79 

Tr.  Iodine 2  dr. 

Oil  of  Tar 6  dr. 

Alcohol 8  dr. 

Mix  and  apply  two  or  three  times  a  week. 
Or  in  one  pint  of  soft  water  dissolve  all  the  hyposul- 
phite of  soda  it  will  take  up,  and  wash  with  this  once 
a  day.  The  latter  is  very  cheap  and  effectual.  Either 
treatment  need  be  used  only  until  the  parts  are  normal 
or  healthy  looking,  which  is  usually  accomplished  in 
a  short  time. 

MANGE  OR  DEPLUMING. 

Mange  or  scabies,  very  commonly  called  "deplum- 
ing" is  caused  by  a  parasite,  ''Sarcoptes  Laevis." 

The  disease  is  characterized  by  the  feathers  drop- 
ping out  or  breaking  off  in  spots  on  any  part  of  the 
body;  most  commonly,  perhaps,  over  the  rump,  thighs 
and  belly. 

Treatment:  First,  separate  the  well  from  the  af- 
fected, and,  for  treatment,  those  dips  or  preparations 
advertised,  such  as  "Zenoleum"  or  "Chloro-naptho- 
leum"  are  among  the  best  applications.  They  should 
be  applied  as  directed. 

Another  very  effectual  remedy  is  the  following,  ap- 
plied every  few  days: 

Alcohol 2  oz. 

Oil  of  Tar  6  oz. 

Water 1  qt. 

The  roosts  must  also  be  washed  with  the  preparation 
or  scalded   with   boiling  v/ater,   floors  scrubbed,  and 


80  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

sprinkled  with  fine  lime,  or  sprinkled  with  the  prepai*- 
ation  used.     The  walls  should  be  whitewashed. 

SCALY  LEGS. 

Scaly  legs  is  a  very  common  disease;  it  is  due  to  a 
parasite,  the  ''Sarcoptes  Mutans,"  which  burrows 
under  the  scales  and  multiplies  very  rapidly. 

The  disease  is  shown  by  a  rough,  scabby  deposit  on 
the  legs,  caused  by  yellowish  exudate  drying,  and 
forming  a  crust. 

Treatment:  The  legs  should  be  soaked  in  warm, 
soapy  water;  then  rubbed  with  a  brush,  so  as  to  remove 
the  scales  and  expose  the  parasite;  then,  either  of  the 
remedies  given  for  * 'Mange"  may  be  applied  or,  a 
very  effectual  ointment  may  be  made  by  mixing  a  tea- 
spoonful  each  of  oil  of  tar  and  sulphur  with  a  table- 
spoonful  of  clean,  unsalted  lard;  this  should  be  applied 
every  other  day.  If  the  disease  is  general,  the  same 
sanitary  precautions  should  be  resorted  to  as  are  rec- 
ommended for  Mange. 

LICE,    MITES,    ETC. 

There  are  no  less  than  thirty-five  or  forty  different 
varieties,  some  being  very  annoying,  others  not  so 
much. 

Some  affect  the  skin  by  gnawing;  others  suck  the 
blood;  while  some  live  on  the  feathers  and  scales  of 
the  skin;  these  latter,  of  course,  do  not  annoy  the  bird 
nearly  so  much  as  those  that  irritate  or  gnaw  the  skin. 
Still  others  are  found  in  the  air  sacks  to  which  we 
have  referred  in  the  article  on  Pneumycosis. 


Turbit  Pigeon. 


J-  isr-sr:  «- 


Pearl  Guinea. 


'^^^,,r:^^~~       COPYKIOMT  1907 


Pekin  Ducks. 


Copynflht  1006  ChssLSlilea  ~ 


Indian  Runner  Ducks. 


DISEASES  AFFECTING  THE  SKIN.  81 

The  small  red  mite  is  perhaps  the  most  common  and 
annoying,  especially  during  the  night,  when  it  feasts 
on  its  host  by  pricking  the  skin  and  filling  itself  with 
blood,  while  during  the  day  it  is  found  in  large  num- 
bers in  cracks,  crevices,  etc.,  in  the  walls,  roosts  and 
nests,  or  in  the  litter,  if  much  of  this  is  allowed  to 
accumulate  under  the  roosts. 

Another  very  annoying  variety  is  the  large  (some- 
times called  the  gray  head)  louse.  This  variety  is  very 
destructive  to  young  fowls;  a  few  may  destroy  a  young 
bird.  Their  presence  is  detected  principally  on  the 
head,  and  by  their  white  nits  at  the  base  of  the  feath- 
ers on  the  head  and  about  the  eyes. 

The  long,  slender  louse  is  one  of  the  most  common 
found  on  the  fowl  during  the  day,  or  when  an  examin- 
ation  is  made;  they  are  usually  very  plentiful  about  . 
the  vent,  under  the  wings,  along  the  belly,  where 
their  nit3  and  debris  will  be  found  collected  about  the 
base  of  the  feathers.  This  louse  runs  very  rapidly  and 
will  soon  disappear;  therefore,  searching  must  be  done 
very  carefully. 

Those  that  do  not  gnaw  or  bite  the  skin,  but  affect 
the  feathers,  are  characterized  by  the  feathers  appear- 
ing dead  and  breaking  off,  and  by  their  excreta  collect- 
ing about  the  shafts  of  the  feathers. 

WHERE  DO  LICE   COME  FROM? 

The  okl  supposition  that  lice  are  spontaneously 
developed  in  filth  and  litter  should  no  longer  be  main- 
tained; hov/ever,  it  is  true  that  such  unsanitary  condi= 


82  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

tions  favor  their  development,  but  it  is  a  known  fact 
that  we  cannot  produce  lice,  and  that  animate  beings 
must  come  from  like  animate  parents;  hence,  with 
whatever  kind  of  lice  the  fowl  is  infested,  the  same 
originated  from  that  particular  species. 

When  the  rapidity  with  which  lice  multiply  is  taken 
into  consideration,  we  can  roadily  see  how,  under  fav- 
orable circumstances,  myriads  of  lice  may  develop  in 
a  short  time,  from  only  a  few  lice.  According  to 
Leuwejihoeck,  quoted  by  Newmann,  a  single  female 
buse  may,  in  eight  weeks,  become  grandmother  of 
10,000  lice  and,  according  to  some  authorities,  the 
third  generation  of  a  single  louse  may  reach  125,000. 

Symptoms:  Ths  diagnosis  of  lice  is  easy  if  a  care- 
ful search  is  made  by  parting  the  feathers  and  exam- 
ing  the  skin,  especially  on  the  head,  about  the  vent, 
and  under  the  wings  and  belly.  Suspicion  should  be 
aroused  by  such  symptoms  as  the  birds  pecking  them- 
selves, being  restless  on  the  roosts,  leaving  the  nest 
v/hen  hatching,  comb  and  wattles  becoming  pale;  or 
sometimes,  fowls  are  so  badly  infested  that  they  be- 
come sick  or  succumb  to  a  bad  diarrhoea,  which  is 
often  mistaken  for  cholera,  but  has  no  relation,  what- 
ever, to  cholera;  when  such  symptoms  exist,  fowls, 
and  all  crevices  about  the  roosts  and  nests  should  be 
carefully  examined. 

Treatment  must  be  persisted  in  and  repeated  every 
week  or  two,  because  a  few  lice  and  nits  left  will  soon 
develop  a  new  crop. 


DISEASES  AFFECTING  THE  SKIN.  83 

A  good  supply  of  dry  sand  or  road  dust  should  always 
be  kept  in  a  box  in  a  warm,  sunshiny  place  where  the 
fowls  can  bathe  at  will;  a  small  amount  of  sulphur  or 
insect  powder  added  to  the  dust  will  improve  it. 

For  the  large  head  louse  on  small  chicks,  the  appli- 
cation of  clean  unsalted  lard  in  which  a  few  drops  of 
oil  of  sassafras  has  been  mixed  with  each  ounce,  is 
very  effectual;  a  very  effectual  dip  can  be  made  by 
mixing  two  or  three  ounces  of  creolin  in  a  gallon  of 

warm  water;  the  fowl  must  be  held  in  the  water  for 
at  least  a  minute  and  all  the  parts,  even  the  head, 
must  be  wet,  but,  of  course,  the  head  must  not  be  im- 
mersed into  the  dip;  after  applying  lard,  and  after 
dipping,  the  birds  must  be  kept  in  a  warm,  dry  place 
for  some  time. 

Louse  Killers,  in  powder  form,  or  sulphur,  are  also 
good,  but  sulphur  must  not  be  used  on  small  chicks. 
The  roosts  and  nests  should  be  carefully  examined 
every  week  or  two  and,  if  lice  are  found,  they  should 
be  scalded  with  boiling  water,  or  saturated  with  coal 
oil,  and  the  walls  should  be  whitewashed  at  least  once 
or  twice  a  year. 

Fine  road  dust  thrown  about  in  the  house  occasion- 
ally, is  quite  destructive  to  lice;  fumigating,  by  burn- 
ing sulphur  in  the  closed  house,  when  fowls  are  out, 
will  destroy  mites.  This  is  very  good  for  small  coops 
that  cannot  be  easily  gotteninto.  The  droppings  must 
be  removed  often,  especially  during  warm  weather. 

To  destroy  those  that  affect  the  feathers  only,  either 
the  creolin  dip,  or  the  oil  of  tar,  alcohol,  and  water 
treatment  for  mange,  is  very  effectual. 

Chickens  which  dust  freely  in  wood  ashes  are  seldom 
troubled  with  lice. 


CHAPTER  10. 


Vices  or  Habits. 


Feather  Pulling  and  Ealing— Egg  Ealing— Comb  Eatirg 


FEATHER  PULLING  AND  EATING. 

WHEN  fowls  pull  their  own  feathers,  suspicion 
of    lice   or   some    skin    disease    should    be 
aroused  and  a  careful  examination  should  be  made. 

But  occasionally  the  habit,  or  vice,  of  pulling  ar.d 
eating  one  another's  feathers  is  acquired. 

Causes:  An  abnormal  appetite,  often  caused  by- 
feeding  an  insufficient  variety  of  food,  or  by  close  con- 
finement and  idleness;  or  it  may  be  the  result  of  not 
feeding  meat  in  any  form. 

Treatment:  If  possible,  free  range  should  be  allow- 
ed; if  this  is  impossible,  exercise  should  be  encoui  aged 
by  providing  a  scratching  pen,  in  which  smell  grain 
should  be  thrown  in  straw  or  chaff.  A  piece  of  salty 
m.eat  hung  just  so  they  can  reach  it,  by  making  scm.e 
exertion,  is  somxetim.cs  efTectual.  The  food  should  be 
of  as  much  variety  as  possible,  with  plenty  of  meat 
and  cut  bone. 

84 


VICES  OR  HABITS.  85 

An  ointment  made  by  mixing  a  little  aloes  with  lard 
and  applying  it  to  the  parts  where  they  pull  feathers, 
mostly,  has  a  tendency  to  disgust  them,  because  of  its 
very  bitter  taste.  But,  where  there  are  only  a  few 
feather-eaters  in  the  flock,  they  should  be  disposed  of 
before  the  whole  flock  acquires  the  vice. 

EGG-EATING. 

This  is  a  very  troublesome  vice  and  is  often  difficult 
to  check. 

Causes:  In  a  great  many  cases  the  vice  begins  from 
the  eggs  being  too  soft  shelled  and  easily  broken  in  the 
nests,  when  they  will  be  eaten,  not  only  by  the  hen 
that  breaks  them,  but  she  will  carry  pieces  of  shell 
about  the  hen-house  and  others  will  get  the  taste  and 
soon  acquire  the  vice. 

Idleness  and  insuflficient  supply  of  meat,  cut  bone  and 
oyster  shell  may  be  considered  as  indirect  causes. 

Treatment:  All  possible  eff'orts  must  be  made  to 
prevent  hens  from  getting  started,  by  keeping  straw 
or  something  soft  in  the  nests,  and  by  having  the  nests 
arranged  so  that  the  hens  will  not  be  compelled  to  jump 
on  the  eggs. 

A  variety  of  food,  with  a  liberal  supply  of  shell- 
forming  material  and  meat,  should  be  suppHed,  such  as 
oyster  shells,  lime,  cut  bone,  meat  scraps,  etc.  The 
hens  should  be  compelled  to  work,  either  by  giving 
free  range  or  by  providing  a  scratching-placc. 

Artificial  nest  eggsshould  be  placed  about  floor  of  the 
the  hen-hou&£>,  as  woll  as  one  or  two  kept  in  each  nest- 


86  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

If  the  above  methods  are  not  sufficient  to  check 
the  vice,  nests  must  be  arranged  so  that  the  eggs 
will  drop  out  of  sight,  or  so  that  the  hen  cannot  get  at 
them.  Funnel  shaped  nests  with  an  opening  in  the 
center  through  which  the  eggs  will  drop  into  a  soft, 
padded  box  or  drawer  are  very  good.  Another  method 
is  a  long  box,  opening  at  one  end  only,  and  low  enough 
so  that  the  hen  cannot  stand  erect  while  back  in  the 
nest.  This  has  two  good  features;  namely,  its  being 
low  and  somewhat  dark. 

COMB-EATING. 

Pecking  one  another's  combs  and  wattles,  especially 
the  hens  pecking  the  cock's,  is  a  vice  fowls  occasion- 
ally contract  and,  when  they  once  taste  the  blood,  the 
habit  will  grow  worse. 

Causes  are  not  unlike  those  of  the  other  vices; 
namely,  idleness  and  an  insufficient  meat  diet. 

Treatment:  Remove  those  that  have  bloody  combs 
for  a  few  days,  or  until  the  combs  are  partly  healed  or 
dried;  then  apply  a  preparation  made  by  mixing  one 
part  each  of  tar  and  powdered  aloes  with  four  parts  of 
lard;  supply  plenty  of  fresh  meat,  and  encourage 
exercise. 


APPENDIX. 


Feeding  Young  Chicks—  Feeding  and  Caring  for  Young 
Turkeys  — Feeding  for  Eggs  — How  to  Hasten  Molting 
— How  to  Break  up  a  Broody  Hen  The  Number  of 
Hens  that  Should  be  Mated  with  One  Male  — Time 
Required  in  Mating  to  Insure  Pure  and  Fertile  Eggs — 
—  Things  to  be  Remembered. 


FEEDING  YOUNG  CHICKS. 

THE  first  week  or  ten  days  is  perhaps  the  most 
critical  time  of  a  chick's  Hfe  because  of  the  dan- 
ger of  digestive  disorder. 

Almost  every  poultry-raiser  has  his  own  method  of 
feeding,  and  many  are  good,  I  shall  attempt  to  give 
only  a  few.  In  my  own  experience  I  have  had  excel- 
lent results  from  feeding  dry  feed  only,  beginning 
when  the  chicks  are  twenty-four  hours  old,  (as  they 
should  never  be  fed  before  twenty-four  hours)  by  giv- 
ing rolled  oats  and  fine  dried  bread  crumbs  about  every 
four  hours;  plenty  of  fine  sand  should  be  kept  before 
them  from  the  start.  To  this  ration  may  be  added, 
in  a  few  days,  fine  cracked  wheat  screenings  or  ready 
mixed  chick  feeds,  of  which  there  are  many  different 
brands  in  the  market,  A  little  later,  cracked  corn  is 
hIso  given. 


88  LEAMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

A  great  many  poultry-raisers,  who  adopt  the  dry 
feeding  method,  supply  the  food  with  automatic  feed- 
ers, especially  after  the  second  or  third  week,  which 
perhaps  comes  closer  to  nature  than  feeding  at  a  cer- 
tain time  or  at  intervals. 

Alter    Xne    nrSL    ten   uays,    imiiv    may  TtTc^  giT^n  xjai»,c 

freely,  also  fresh  meat  in  small  quantities.  For  those 
who  do  not  prefer  the  dry  feeding  method,  the  follow- 
ing makes  a  good  "Bill  of  Fare:"  Stale  bread  soaked 
in  sweet  or  scalded  milk,  to  which  is  added  some  hard 
boiled  eggs,  shell  and  all,  finely  chopped.  Clean  water 
should  be  kept  before  them  constantly  in  drinking 
fountains. 

For  broiler  feeding,  one  mash  a  day  after  the  second 
or  third  week  will  somewhat  hasten  their  growth,  but 
when  mash  feeds  are  given,  the  birds  must  be  watched 
closely  for  indigestion  or  bowel  trouble. 

A  little  powdered  charcoal  mixed  with  the  mash  feed 
will  help  to  prevent  indigestion. 

FEEDING  AND  CARING  FOR  YOUNG  TURKEYS. 

The  first  few  weeks  of  a  young  turkey's  life  is  a  very 
critical  period.  The  first  week,  the  mother  and  young 
must  have  a  warm  place  that  is  free  from  draughts  of 
air  and  dampness  and  in  which  they  will  be  undis- 
turbed by  other  fowls. 

The  food,  for  the  first  three  weeks,  should  consist 
of  sweet  milk  (fresh  from  the  cow  is  best,)  very  hard 

boiled  eggs,  cracked  wheat  or  screenings,  and  bread 


APPENDIX.  8r 

crumbs.  During  this  time,  if  the  weather  is  warm, 
they  may  be  let  out  during  the  middle  of  the  day,  being 
careful  that  they  are  kept  near  the  coop  and  shut  in 
before  sunset,  as  dew  is  very  injurious  to  young 
turkeys. 

They  should  be  watched  closely,  so  that  they  will 
not  get  on  their  backs,  because  it  is  often  impossible 
for  them  to  arise  from  this  position  and  they  will  die 
if  left  alone. 

Ants  are  great  enemies  to  young  turkeys;  they  are 
injurious  when  eaten  or  may  pest  the  birds  by  getting 
on  their  heads;  therefore,  care  must  be  taken  that  the 
coop  is  not  put  near  ant  hills. 

Food  for  the  fourth  week  may  consist  of  oat  meal 
sour  milk  curd  in  small  quantities,  wheat  screenings, 
table  scraps,  taking  care  that  these  do  not  contain  too 
much  salt.  After  the  eighth  week,  they  may  be  given 
their  freedom;  they  may  be  fed  grain  in  the  morning 
if  they  do  not  have  access  to  grain  fields. 

FEEDING  FOR  EGGS. 

When  fowls  have  free  range,  or  the  run  of  the  farm, 
very  little  attention  need  be  paid  to  feeding,  with 
regards  to  a  balanced  ration.  But,  when  closely  con- 
fined, the  food  must  be  of  such  a  nature  that  it  will 
supply  the  constituents  of  the  eggs,  as  well  as  main- 
tain the  health  of  the  hens. 

Below  is  the  daily  ration  required  for  a  laying-  hen 
according  to  Bulletin  No.  84,  of  Rhode  Island  Experi- 
ment Station: 


90  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR, 

Protein 12  grams, 

Fat 7  grams, 

Carbohydrates 45  grams. 

Nearly  all  grains  have  some  value  as  poultry  food, 

but  wheat,  oats  and  barley  undoubtedly  stand  at  the 

head  as  egg  producers. 

The  following  is  an  excellent  combination  for  dry  or 

hopper  feeding,  about  four  or  five  ounces  being  a  daily 
ration  for  a  hen: 

Wheat 10  lbs. 

Oats 4  " 

Barley 3   " 

Buckwheat 3  " 

Sun  Flower  Seeds 2  '' 

Corn 3  '' 

Another  very  successful  method  is  giving  a  mash  in 
the  morning  as  early  as  possible;  then,  during  the  day, 
some  of  the  above  mixture  (without  the  corn)  may  be 
thrown  into  straw  or  chaff  in  a  scratching-pen  and, 
for  evening  feed,  all  the  corn  may  be  given  they  will 
eat  off  the  cob.  Meat,  not  to  exceed  ten  per  cent  of 
the  daily  ration,  and  green  food  should  always  be  sup- 
plied during  the  winter  or  when  closely  confined. 

Stimulants,  such  as  pepper  or  ginger,  are,  perhaps, 

of   some   benefit,   but   must   be   fed  very  sparingly, 

because  overdoing  the  matter  will  produce  disease, 
such  as  liver  trouble,  etc. 

When  rich,  yellow  yolks  are  desired,  plenty  of  clover 

must  be  fed  either  green  or  dry.      The  clover  meal 

now  on  the  market  is  a  very  convenient  way  of  supply- 
ing this  useful  adjunct. 


APPENDIX.  91 

Lime  must  be  provided  in  some  form;  it  is  estimated 
that  one  pound  of  oyster-shells  contains  sufficient  lime 
for  the  shells  of  seven  dozen  eggs. 

HOW  TO   HASTEN   MOLTING. 

Sometimes  it  is  decirable  to  hasten  molting,  so  as  to 
get  the  hens  well  feathered  and  in  laying  condition  by 
late  fall  or  early  Vvinter. 

To  accomplish  this,  the  hen  should  be  fed  very  spar- 
ingly and  kept  confined  for  a  few  weeks,  or  until  she 
has  entirely  ceased  laying  and  is  in  a  somewhat  deple- 
ted condition;  then  she  should  be  fed  plentifully  with  a 
ration  that  is  highly  nitrogenous,  so  as  to  encourage 
the  growth  of  new  feathers.  Oil  meal,  pea  meal, 
ground  oats,  wheat,  milk,  and  beef  scraps  would  be 
among  the  best  that  could  be  fed.  Results  will  be 
much  more  satisfactory,  if  several  varieties  are  fed, 
than  when  only  one  kind  of  grain  or  feed  is  given. 

When  beginning  to  feed  a  fowl  that  has  been  par- 
tially deprived  of  food,  care  must  be  taken  that  it  is 
not  overfed,  but  it  should  be  fed  cautiously  and  the 
amount  gradually  increased. 

HOW  TO  BREAK  UP  A  BROODY  HEN. 

One  of  the  quickest  methods  of  breaking  up  a  per- 
sistent broody  hen  is  to  place  her  in  a  small  coop  with 
a  wire  screen  bottom,  for  36  to  48  hours,  without  feed 
or  water.  The  coop  must  be  up  off  the  floor  so  as  to 
allow  the  cool  air  to  pass  beneath  the  hen.  Of  course, 
in  cold  weather  the  coop  must  not  be  put  in  a  place  so 
cold  that  the  hen  will  freeze  her  feet. 


92  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

This  treatment  may  seem  a  little  cruel  but  it  is  not 
nearly  as  severe  as  some  other  methods  that  are  often 
resorted  to  with  little  or  no  effect.  Another  very  ef- 
fective method  is  to  set  her  in  a  bucket  containing 
several  inches  of  water,  for  several  hours. 

THE  NUMBER  OF  HENS  THAT  SHOULD  BE  MATED 
WITH  ONE  MALE. 

The  number  of  hens  that  can  be  safely  mated  to  one 
male  depends  upon  the  breed  and  vigor  of  the  male, 
but  the  following  is  a  good  rule  to  follow:  The  small, 
or  Mediterranean  breeds,  such  as  Leghorns,  Minorcas, 
etc.,  may  be  mated  from  twelve  to  fifteen  hens  to  a 
healthy  cock. 

The   medium   breeds,  such  as  Plymouth  Rocks  and 

Wyandottes,  ten  to  twelve.     The  very  heavy  breeds, 

such  as  Cochins  and  Brahmas,  eight  to  twelve  hens  to 
a  cock. 

TIME  REQUIRED  IN  MATING  TO  INSURE  PURE 
AND  FERTILE  EGGS. 

The  subject  of  mating  is  not  exactly  agreed  upon 

by  all  poultry  raisers,  yet  in  most  cases  when  the  hen 

has  been  mated  ten  days,  the  eggs  may  be  considered 

pure;  but  perhaps  the  surest  way  is  to  change  hens 

from  one  male  to  another  at  the  close  of  an  egg  litter. 

The  following  are  a  few  tests  made  by  several  dif- 
ferent stations: 

Not  more  than  30%  of  eggs  will  hatch,  when  gath- 
ered during  the  first  week  after  mating;  from  40  to 
80%,  when  gathered  during  the  second  week;  from 
50  to  dO%,  when  gathered  during  the  third  week. 


APPENDIX.  93 

From  these  tests,  the  conclusion  may  be  formed 
that  the  mating  should  be  at  least  three  weeks,  in 
order  to  get  the  greatest  percentage  of  fertile  eggs. 

THINGS  TO  BE  REMEMBERED. 

High  perches  are  not  desirable,  nor  should  som.e  le 
higher  than  others. 

Charcoal  snd  grit  should  always  be  kept  before  fow  Is. 

Plenty  of  clean  litter  should  be  supplied. 

Over-crowding  should  positively  be  avoidctl. 

A  dust  bath  should  always  be  provided. 

The  breeding  stock  must  be  healthy  to  insure  fowb 
of  strong  vitality. 

Do  not  neglect  to  give  plenty  of  fresh  water. 

The  droppings  should  be  removed  daily. 

Never  over-feed. 

Remember  that  fowls  confined  must  be  provided 
with  a  liberal  supply  of  green  food. 

Keep  up  a  continual  war  against  lice. 

Some  poultry  raisers  advocate  sowing  a  patch  of 
rape  for  young  growing  chickens. 

Oats  sprouted  to  two  or  three  inches  makes  excel- 
lent green  food  for  winter. 

A  male  bird  under  a  year  old  is  termed  a  cockerel, 
while  one  over  a  year  old  is  called  a  cock. 

A  female  bird  less  than  a  year  old  is  a  pullet;  over 
a  year  old,  a  hen. 

A  broiler  should  not  weigh  ovor  two  pounds  and 
should  be  from  six  to  twelve  weeks  old. 

A  roaster  weighs  four  or  more  pounds. 


94  LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 

A  turkey  under  a  year  old  is  termed  a  poult. 

A  capon  is  a  male  bird  deprived  of  its  generative 
organs. 

A  female  deprived  of  its  egg  organs  is  termed  a 
poulard. 

One  male  and  two  females  constitute  a  trio. 

From  six  to  fourteen  females  and  one  male  is  usually 
termed  a  breeding  pen. 

Thirteen  hen's  eggs  constitute  a  sitting;  however, 
some  poultrymen  give  fifteen. 


LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR,  95 

INDEX. 


jf^  Diarrhoea,  Simple,  J} 

Abdominal  Dropsy, 4^         Diphtheria, 14 

Abnormal  Eggs, (>^         Diseases  of  the  Ovary,.    .    ..  _ 64 

Abscesses, -  74         Disinfectants,  „ 9 

Air  Sack  Mites  or  Pneumomycoses,  2}         Dropsy  of  the  Feet, 72 

Air-slacked  Lime  a  cheap  disinfect- 

ant  for  yards  10 

AA         Eeg  Bound, 00 

Anaemia, o^  '^^              ' 

Egg- Ealing, 05 


Apoplexy, 53 

Asthenia,  - 4^ 

B 

Bagging  Down, -.68 

„   ,  ,  78         Emphysema, ''o 

Baldness,  '°  '^  /  ' 


Eggs,  how  formed.. _ 57 

Eggs  without- Shell,    _ 6} 

Eggs  with  Two  Shells, 64 


Black  Head  in  Turkeys, J9 


Enteritis,  J4 


Blood  Within  Egg, 6}         Epilepsy,  ....„..„ -|J 

Bowel  Trouble  in  Chicks,  _ 31         ^^S"'  Po^^o"' -::;.^«:Xv;-?5 

Bowels,  Inrtammation  of, J4  F 

Brain,  Congestion  of, _  5^        Favus, 7^ 

Broken  Bones,  75         Feather-pulling, <^4 

Bronchitis 17        Feather-eating,   8^4 

Broody  Hen,  How  to  break  up „9i         Feeding  for  Eggs 89 

Bruises, 7J         Feeding  Young  Chicks ii7 

Bumble  Foot, _ 74  Feeding  and  Caring  for  Young 

C  Turkeys,  _ 88 

Catarrh,  Simple,  and  Cold, 12  Female  Organs,  their  Anatomy  and 

Catarrhal  Stomatitis,  25  Physiology, 57 

Catarrhofthe  Crop, 28         pj.^^ _  5j 

Causes  of  Diseases _8  p^^j  Lodged  in  Trachea  or  Wind- 
Cerebral  Congestion, __ 52.             pipe,    - 2.J 

Chicken-Pox, 7^         Fumigating,  how  best  done  _..io 

Cholera,  4'         Fumigating  with  Carbolic  Acid 22 

Cloacitis,  61         ^^^^^  Bites, 7^ 


Comb-Eating 86 

Congestion  of  the  Lungs, 19 

Constipation, _  36 

Corns, 74 

Cramps  in  Young  Fowls, 70 

Crop-bound, i7 

Crop,  Inflammation  of, 28 


G 

Gapes,    *0 

Gastritis, ^9 

Gastro-Intestinal  Catarrh,  Jl 

Germs  and  Disinfectants,    9 

Germs,  conditions  favorable  to  their 
development 9 


Crop,  how  to  cut  open 28        fje,n,s,  how  to  prevent  and  destroy...9 

_     ,       .  ^  Greea  Food  Essential..., - 8 

Depluming,.... -79 


d6 


LEHMAN'S  POULTRY  DOCTOR. 


INDEX. 


Grit,  Why  Necessary 8 

Going  Light, .46 

H 

Heart,  Rupture  of, 50 

Hepatitis, jg 

Hospital, _ II 

I 

Impaction  of  the  Crop, 27 

Impoverished  Blood, 66 

Incubation  of  Egg  in  Hen,_ 6} 

Indigestion, 29 

Infectious  Entero-Hepatitis, J9 

Inflammation  of  the  Lungs, 19 

Inflammation  of  the  Oviduct, 58 

K 

Kidneys,  Inilammation  of,„ 55 

L 

Large  Eggs, _ 62 

Laryngitis, 17 

Leg  Weakness,. 69 

Lice, 80 

Lice  mistaken  for  Cholera ..  _82 

Limber  Neck, _ 47 

Liver,  Congestion  of, J7 

Liver,  Inflammation  of, j8 

M 

Male  Orgaiis  and  their  Diseases 56 

Mange, 79 

Mating,  time  required  to  insure 

Pure  and  Fertile  Eggs  _ 92 

Medicine,  how  given _ S 

Medicine,  how  measured 8 

Mites, _ 80 

Moulting,  How  to  Hasten. 91 

N 

Nephritis, 55 

Number  of  Hens  that  should  be 

Mated  with  one  Male 92 

o 

Obstruction  in  the  Throat, 26 


P 

Paralysis  of  the  Crop,_ 27 

Paresis, 51 

Pericarditis, 49 

Peritonitis, _ 46 

Pip 25 

Pneumonia, 19 

Pneumomycoses,  2] 

Poultry   Houses,  location  of,  from 
a  sanitary  point ...10 

Prolapsus  of  the  Oviduct, 58 

Ptomaine  poison,  _ 47 

R 
Requirements  Essential  to  Health,.  .10 

Rheumatism,  _6.9 

Rickets  in  Young  Chicks,. 71 

Roup  and   Diphtheria,     ..  _ 14 

S 

Scaly  Legs,. 80 

Simple  Catarrh  or  Cold, 12 

Small  or  Incomplete  Eggs, 62 

Sore   Mouth, 25 

Spraying  with  coal  oil  for  Catarrh,   ij 

T 

Things  to  be  Remembered,  9} 

Treating  Diseases, .the  first  step 8 

True  Digestive  Stomach  or  Provcn- 
triculus _2g 

Tuberculosis, 66 

Two  Yolk  Eggs,  62 

V 

Vent  Gleet, 61 

Voice  or  Crowing  Organs,  loca- 
tion of 2J 

W 

Where  do  Lice  come  from, 81 

White  Comb, ...78 

WinJ-pufl^, _ 68 

Worms, 44 

Worms  or  Parasites  in  Eggs, 6} 

Wounds,.. _  7J 


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